I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 



(tap- fcgjw f °- - | 

| 1 f~\ 2* — | 

f UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, f 

ip ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ fl) 



THE LITURGY 



Reformed Church in America, 



AS REPORTED TO THE 



GENERAL SYNOD OF 1873, 



COMMITTEE ON REVISION. 



NEW YORK: A 
BOARD OF PUBLICATION R. C. A., 
34 VESEY STREET. 
1873. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by 
the Board of Publication R. C. A., 
Rev. William Fekris, Agent, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. 



EDWARD O. JENKINS, 
PRINTER AND STEREOTYPER, 
20 North William Street, N. Y 



CONTENTS. 



I. Order of Scripture Lessons 

II. Order of Public Worship 

I. Morning. 
II. Evening. 

III. Holy Baptism 

I. Infants. 

II. Adults. 

IV. Reception of Baptized Children 

V. The Lord's Supper . . 
I. Preparatory. 

II. Administration. 

III. Thanksgiving. 

VI. Church Discipline 

I. Excommunication. 
II. Re-admission. 

VII. Ordination . 
I. Ministers. 
II. Elders and Deacons. 



4 

VIII. Installation of Ministers ... 73 

IX. Laying of Corner Stone . . . .80 

X. Dedication . . . . . .85 

XI. Confirmation of Marriage 91 
XII. Burial of the Dead . . . . 95 • 

XIII. Prayers for Special Occasions . . 104 

XIV. The Creeds . * . . . . .124 



THE LITURGY 

OF THE 

REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA. 

REVISED AND REPORTED TO THE GENERAL SYNOD OP 1873. 



NOTE. 

This Revised Liturgy is set forth as a general expression 
of the way in which the public services of religion should 
be performed. It is to be understood that it is not of 
binding authority, but is only recommended as containing 
suitable offices for public religious service. The only parts 
of our service which are obligatory, are those which are 
enjoined by the Constitution of the Church. 



6 



ORDER OF SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

The Synod of Dort, A.D., 1618, in its Rules of Church 
Government, [which " were recognized and expressly adopt- 
ed " by the Reformed Dutch Church in America, in Con- 
vention, New York, October, A.D., 1771,] decreed as fol- 
lows : 

"Art. 67. — Besides the Sabbath day, the Churches shall 
likewise observe Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide, with 
the day succeeding each ; and whereas, in most of the 
cities and provinces of the Netherlands, it is, moreover, 
customary to observe the day of the Circumcision and As- 
cension of our Lord, the Ministers where such practice has 
not been adopted, shall endeavor to prevail with the civil 
authority to establish a conformity with the other Churches.'' 

This article bears witness to the ancient usage of our 
Church. The evident design of that usage was to bring 
into devout remembrance, year by year, the vital facts of 
the Advent, Death, and Resurrection of Our Blessed Lord, 
and of the Mission of the Holy Comforter. Thereto this 
Order of Scripture Lessons is adjusted, with the hope that if 
any, in the exercise of Christian liberty, shall use it, such 
use may be found to edification. 

(lessons appropriate for particular seasons.) 



OLD TESTAMENT. 



NEW TESTAMENT. 




Isaiah, 58. ... Matthew, 6:1-18 

Joel, 2:1-18.. James, 4 

Dent, 16:1-17.. Philippians, 4:4-30 

Isaiah, 12.... Acts, 17:24-31 

Isaiah, 44:1-6.. Matthew, 1S:3-14 

Ezekiel, 36:25-38.. Romans, 6:3-14 

Isaiah, 53.. . John, 17 



63:1-16.. Hebrews, 10:1-23 
61 ... 2 Timothy, 4:1-8 
Ezekiel, 83:1-20. . 1 Corinthians, 13 



Isaiah, 62 . . . Ephesians, 4:1-16 

Exodus, 40:17-38.. 1 Kings, 9:1-9 
Hebrews, 13:10-21. . 'Rev. 21:10-27 



ORDER OF SCRIPTURE LESSONS 

FOR USE IN PUBLIC WORSHIP ON THE LORD'S DA Y. 



I. 

SEASON OF THE ADVENT OF OUR LORD. 



(CHRISTMAS.) 

The Order of Lessons for the Christmas Season begins with the fourth Sunday 
before Christmas. 



DAT. 


MORNING. 


EYENING. 




OLD TEST. 


NEW TEST. 


OLD TEST. 


NEW TEST. 


4 Sun. before Christmas 


Isaiah, 1 


Luke, 1:1-38.. 


Isaiah, 2... 


Romans, 10 


3 " 


" 5... 


" 1:39-56. 


Malachi, 3... 


12 


2 " 


" 25.... 


" 3:1-18.. 


Isaiah, 28:1-22 


" 14 


1 " 


" 30.... 


Matt., 3:1-12.. 


32... 


1 Corinth, 1 


Chkistmas (Dec. 25) 


" 60.... 


Luke, 2:7-20.. 


" 9:1-7.. 


John 1:1-14 


Circumcision (Jan 1 ) . . . 


Gen. 17:1-10.. 


" 2:21-24. 


Deut, 10:12-22 


Coloss., 2 


1 Sun. after Christmas 


Isaiah, 35. .. 


" 2:25-52. 


Isaiah, 40... 


1 Cor., 2 




" 41... 


Matt., 2:1-12.. 


42... 


Heb., 2 


3 u 


" 44.... 


Mark, 1:1-15.. 


45... 


1 Cor. 3 


4 " 


" 51... 


John, 1:15-28. 


" 52:1-12. 


13 


5 u 


" 54.... 


Matt., 4:1-11.. 


55.. 


2 Cor., 4 


6 " 


" 57... 


Luke, 4:14-32. 


59 .. 


5 


7 " 


44 61.... 


Matt., 5 


62... 


Galat., 2 


8 " 


" 65.... 


6 


" 66... 


3 



The Lessons for the Sundays after Christmas are intended to be used until the 
9th Sunday before Easter, and not further. 



IE 

SEASON OF THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF 
OUR LORD. 

(EASTER.) 

The Order of Lessons for the Easter Season begins with the 9th Sunday before 
Easter. Easter Sunday, corresponding to the time of the Jewish Passover, is 
the Sunday next after the full moon that follows the 21st of March; and if the 
full moon happen on a Sunday, it is the Sunday after. Ascension Day is forty 
days after Easter. * 
(7) ■ 



8 



9 Sunday "before Easter 

8 " 

7 " 



Good Friday 

Easter 

1 Sunday after Easter. 

2 ' 

3 " 

4 " 

5 " 

Ascension 



OLD TEST. 

Jerem., 5... 

25... 
Lam., 1... 
Jerem., 7... 
Ezek., 14... 

" 20:1-26. 
Micah, 6 . . . 
Haggai, 2:1-9 
Dan., 9:4-27., 
Gen., 22:1-19 
Exodl2:l-36.. 

Isaiah, 43 

Hosea, 13.... 
Joel, 3:1-8.. 
Micah, 5 . . . . 
Zech., 8.... 
Deut., 10 ... 



NEW TEST. 

Matt., 7.... 
Luke, 7:1-18.. 
Mark, 6:1-29.. 
Matt. 10.... 
Luke, 10:1-24. 
Mark, 9:1-29.. 
Luke, 19:1-27. 
21.... 
" 19:29-48. 
John, 19.... 

20.... 
Acts, 1.... 
3 ... 
' 5:17-42.. 

6.... 
1 8:14-40.. 
Luke, 24:44-53 



OLD TEST. 

Jerem, 22 

36 ... 
Lam, 3:1-36.. 

Jerem., 9 

Ezek.. 18 ... 
1 20:27-49. 



Zech. 13. . . 
Malachi, 4... 
Isaiah, 53... 
25... 
48... 
Hosea 14... 
Micah, 4 . . . 
Nahum, 1 . . . 
Zech., 10... 
2 Kings, 2... 



NEW TEST. 

Ephesians, 1 
2 
3 
4 

" 5 
6 

Philippians, 1 
3 

Hebrews, 5 
Philippians, 2 
Romans, 6 
1 Cor., 15:1-28 
Colossians, 1 
3 

1 Thess., 3 
Eph., 4:1- 6 



III. 

SEASON OF THE MISSION OF THE HOLY COMFORTER. 



(PENTECOST OR WHITSUNTIDE.) 
The Order of Lessons for the Season of Pentecost begins with the Sunday be- 
fore Pentecost. Pentecost, or Whitsuntide, is the seventh Sunday after Easter. 



DAT. 


MORNING. 


EVENING. 






OLD TEST. 


NEW 


TEST. 


OLD TEST. 


NEW TEST. 


1 Sund. bef e Pentecost 


Joel, 2... 


John, 


17... 


Zeph., 


3... 


2 Thess., 3 




Deut., 16:1 17. 


Acts, 2:1-36.. 


Isaiah, 


11... 


Acts, 


4:1-31 


Pentecost 1 Sund. after 


Genesis, 1 . . . 


Matt., 


3:10-17. 


Genesis, 2... 


1 John, 


5 






3... 


Acts, 9:1-31.. 




6... 


1 Tim., 


6 


ct 




" 9:1-19. 




10.... 




15... 


2 Tim., 


2 


tt 


4 .. 


37... 


tt 


11.... 


tt 


42... 


3 




5 


" 43... 




14.... 




45.. 


Titus, 


2 




6 


49... 




15.... 


tt 


50... 


Hebrews 


, 10 


t I 


7 


Exodus 3... 


tt 


17.... 


Exodus, 


5... 




11 


tt 




9... 




20.... 




10... 


tt 


12 


«( 


9 


" 14... 




24.... 




15... 


tt 


13 


tt 


10 


Numb., 16... 




26.... 


Numb., 


22... 


James, 


1 


(4 


11 


23... 




28.... 




24... 




2 




12 


Deut., 4:1-40. 


Matt., 


18.... 


Deut., 


5... 




3 




13 


6... 


20.... 




7... 




4 


tt 


14 


8. . 


it 


23.... 


tt 


9... 


tt 


5 


tt 


15 


" 33... 


tt 


25.... 


tt 


34... 


1 Peter, 


1 






Joshua, 23. . . 


Mark, 


4.... 


Joshua, 


24... 




2 


tt 


17 


Judges, 4... 


13.... 


Judges, 


5... 




3 


tt 


18 


1 Sam., 12... 


Luke, 


13 .. 


1 Sam'l, 


17... 




4 


it 


19 


2 Sam., 12... 




15.... 


2 Sam'l, 


19... 




5 




20 


1 Kings,8:l-21 


tt 


20.... 


IK'gM 


5:22-53 


2 Peter, 


1 




21 


17... 


John, 


3 ... 


18... 




2 




22 


2 Kings, 5... 


it 


7.... 


2 Kings, 19... 




3 


tt 


23 


Daniel, 6... 


it 


8.... 


Daniel, 




1 John, 


1 




24 


Proverbs,l . . . 

3... 




9 ... 


Prov. 


2... 




2 


tt 


25 




10... 




8... 


tt 


3 


tt 


26 


" 11... 




11 ... . 


tt 


12... 


Jude, 






27 


" 13... 




15.... 


tt 


14... 


Rev. 


1 




28 


" 15... 




16.... 


ti 


16... 


22 





The Lessons for the Sunaays after Pentecost are to be used until the fourth 
Sunday before Christmas, and no further. 



ORDER OF PUBLIC WORSHIP. 




i. 

INVOCATION. 



After a space for private devotion, the Minister shall introduce the public wor- 
ship by invoking the Divine presence and blessing: The people uniting 
audibly in the Lord's Prayer and in the Amen at the close of every prayer 
in the public worship. 

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, 
all desires known, and from whom no secrets are 
hid ; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the in- 
spiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that, we may per- 
fectly love Thee and worthily magnify Thy Holy 
Name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord : Who hath 
taught us when we pray to say : 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallow- 
ed be Thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy 
will be done on earth as it is in heaven: 
Give us this day our daily bread : and for- 

I* (9) 



IO 

give us our debts, as we forgive our debtors: 
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever. amen. 

II. 

SALUTATION. 

The peace of God which passeth all understand- 
ing keep your hearts and minds through Christ 
Jesus. Amen. 

Or this : 

Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Fa- 
ther and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Or this : 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you" 
all. Amen. 

Or this : 

The Lord be with you. 
People. And with thy spirit. 

III. 

READING OF SCRIPTURE. 

I. — The Ten Commandments. 

Hear the law of God as it is written in the 20th chapter of the Book of Exodus. 

God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord 



1 1 



thy God, which have brought thee out of the land 
of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 

I. 

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. 

II. 

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, 
or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, 
or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the wa- 
ter under the earth : thou shalt not bow down thy- 
self to them, nor serve them : for I the Lord thy 
God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the 
fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth 
generation of them that hate Me ; and showing 
mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and 
keep My commandments. 

III. 

Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy 
God in vain ; for the Lord will not hold him guilt- 
less that taketh His Name in vain. 

IV. 

' Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six 
days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work : but the 
seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God : in 
it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor 
thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-serv- 
ant, nor thy cattle, nor the stranger that is within 
thy gates : for in six days the Lord made heaven 
and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rest- 



12 



ed, the seventh day : wherefore, the Lord blessed 
the Sabbath-day, and hallowed it. 

v. 

Honor thy father and thy mother : that thy days 
may be long upon the land which the Lord thy 
God giveth thee. 

VI. 

Thou shalt not kill. 

VII. 

Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

VIII. 

Thou shalt not steal. 

IX. 

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy 
neighbor. 

x. 

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou 
shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man- 
servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his 
ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's. 

* Hear also what our Lord Jesus Christ saith. 

(St. Matthew xxii. 37-40.) 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy 
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 
This is the first and great commandment. And 
the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy 
neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments 
hang all the law and the prophets. 



13 



Then may be sung the following response : 

i. 

Lord have mercy upon us, and write all these 
Thy laws in our hearts, we beseech Thee. Amen. 

Or this : 1 1- 

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet ; 
And a light unto my path. 
How sweet are Thy words unto my taste ; 
Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth. 
Give me understanding, and I will keep Thy 
law. 

For therein do I delight, O Lord my God. 

Amen. 

LESSON. 
II. — From the Old Testament.. 

LESSON. 
III. — From the New Testament. 

After either or both of which may be sung a Gloria or any suitable Chant. 

IV. 

SINGING, 
v. 

PRAYER. 

Which will ordinarily be free. But if desirable, the following Litany, which is 
a literal translation from the Reformer. Bucer's u Reformation of Doctrine 
and Worship, 1 ' may be used : The People repeating audibly the responses, 
which are printed in small capitals. 



14 



THE LITANY. 

O God the Father of Heaven, have mercy 
upon us. 

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have 
have mercy upon us. 

O God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy upon us. 

Be merciful unto us, and spare us, O Lord. 

Be merciful unto us, and deliver us, O Lord. 

From all sin, from all error, from all evil, from 
the wiles of the devil, deliver us, O Lord. 

From dying suddenly and unprepared ; from 
pestilence and famine, from war and slaughter, 
from sedition and conspiracy, from lightning and 
tempest, from everlasting death, deliver us, O Lord. 

By the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, by Thy 
holy Nativity, by Thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temp- 
tations, deliver us, O Lord. 

By Thine Agony and bloody Sweat, by Thy 
Cross and Passion, by Thy Death and Burial, by 
Thy Resurrection and Ascension, by the coming of 
the Holy Ghost the Comforter, deliver us, O Lord. 

In all time of our tribulation, in all time of our 
felicity, in the hour of death, in the day of judg- 
ment, Deliver us, O Lord. 

We sinners beseech Thee to hear us : 

That it may please Thee to rule and govern Thy 
Holy Church Universal. 

That it may please Thee to preserve in sound- 
ness of word and holiness of life, all pastors and 
ministers of Thy Church. 

That it may please Thee to remove all sects and 
scandals. 



is 



That it may please Thee to bring back into the way 
of truth all such as wander and have been led astray. 

That it may please Thee to crush Satan under 
our feet. 

That it may please Thee to send forth faithful 
laborers into Thy harvest. 

That it may please Thee to grant the increase of 
Thy Word and the fruit of Thy Spirit unto all that 
hear. 

That it may please Thee to raise the fallen, and 
strengthen those that stand. 

That it may please Thee to console the weak- 
hearted, and succor the tempted. 

That it may please Thee to give peace and con- 
cord unto all rulers and governors. 

That it may please Thee to guide and protect 
our Chief Magistrate, with all his counsellors. 

That it may please Thee to bless and preserve 
our people, and all in authority among us. 

That it may please Thee to look upon the afflict- 
ed, and those that are in danger ; and to comfort 
them. 

That it may please Thee to succor all women in 
the perils of child-birth. 

That it may please Thee to cherish and protect 
young children and sick persons. 

That it may please Thee to defend and suitably 
provide for the orphans and widows. 

That it may please Thee to grant freedom unto 
captives. 

That it may please Thee to have mercy upon all 
men. 



i6 

That it may please Thee to forgive our enemies, 
persecutors, and slanderers, and to convert them. 

That it may please Thee to give and preserve 
the fruits of the earth. 

That it may please Thee to grant all these our 
requests. 

We beseech Thee to hear us. 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sin of the 
world, Have mercy upon us. 

Lamb of God, who takest away the sin of the 
world, Grant us thy peace. 

Lord, deal not with us after our sins, neither 
reward us according to our iniquities. 

O God, Merciful Father, who despisest not the 
groans of the contrite, nor rejectest the desire of 
the sorrowful : be favorable to our prayers, which, 
in our afflictions that continually oppress us, we 
pour out before Thee ; and graciously hear them ; 
that those things which the craft of the devil or of 
man worketh against us, may be brought to naught, 
and by the counsel of Thy goodness be scattered ; 
that being hurt by no persecutions, we may ever 
give thanks unto Thee in Thy holy Church : through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. 

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good 
counsels, and all just works proceed : Give unto 
Thy servants that peace which the world cannot 
give ; that both our hearts may be set to obey Thy 
commandments, and also that we, being defended 
from the fear of our enemies, may by Thy protec- 
tion pass our time in rest and quietness : Through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 



VI. 

SINGING. 



VII. 

SERMON. 
VIII. 

THANK-OFFERING OF ALMS. 

IX. 

SINGING, 
With D oxolo gy. 

x. 

PRAYER. 

If desirable, in. the use of any of the following : 

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that 
the words which we have heard this day with our 
outward ears, may, through Thy grace, be so graft- 
ed inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring 
forth in us the fruit of good living ; to the honor 
and praise of Thy Name : Through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

O God, Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the Faithful, 
visit, we pray Thee, this congregation with Thy 



1 8 

love and favor ; enlighten their minds more and 
more with the light of the everlasting Gospel ; 
graft in their hearts a love of the truth ; increase 
in them true religion ; nourish them with all good- 
ness ; and of Thy great mercy keep them in the 
same, O Blessed Spirit : Whom, with the Father 
and the Son, together, we worship and glorify as 
one God, world without end. Amen. 

O Almighty God! who alone canst order the 
unruly wills and affections of sinful men : Grant 
unto us Thy people, that we may love the things 
which Thou commandest, and desire that which 
Thou dost promise ; that so, among the sundry and 
manifold changes of the world, our hearts may 
surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be 
found : Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this 
time with one accord to make our common suppli- 
cations unto Thee, and dost promise that when two 
or three are gathered together in Thy Name, Thou 
wilt grant their requests : Fulfil now, O Lord, the 
desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be 
most expedient for them ; granting us in this world 
knowledge of Thy truth, and in the world to come 
life everlasting. Amen. 



XI. 

BENEDICTION. 



ORDER OF PUBLIC WORSHIP. 



i. 

INVOCATION. 

After a space for private devotion, the Minister shall introduce the public wor- 
ship by invoking the Divine presence and blessing : The people uniting 
audibly in the Lord's Prayer and in the Amen at the close of every prayer 
in the public worship. 

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with Thy 
most gracious favor, and further us with Thy con- 
tinual help ; that in all our works, begun, continued, 
and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy holy Name ; 
and, finally, by Thy mercy, obtain everlasting life ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Who hath taught 
us to pray after this manner: 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallow- 
ed be Thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy 
will be done on earth as it is in heaven : 
give us this day our daily bread: and for- 

(19) 



20 



GIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS : 
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER 
US FROM EVIL: FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND 
THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER. AMEN. 

II. 

SALUTATION. 

The peace of God, which passeth all understand- 
ing, keep your hearts and minds, through Christ 
Jesus. Amen. 

Or this : 

Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Fa- 
ther and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Or this : 

The Lord be with you. 
People. And with thy spirit. 

III. 

SCRIPTURE LESSONS. 

I. — From the Old Testament. 
II. — From the New Testament. 

After either or both of which may be sung a Gloria, or any other suitable chant. 



IV. 

SINGING. 



THE APOSTLES' CREED. 



The People standing and repeating audibly with the Minister. 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth. 

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord ; 
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born 
of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius 
Pilate ; was crucified, dead and buried ; He 
descended into hell : The thIrd day He rose 
again from the dead; He ascended into hea- 
ven, AND SITTETH AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD 

the Father Almighty : From thence he shall 
come to judge the quick and the dead. 

i believe in the holy ghost ; the holy 
Catholic Church, the communion of Saints ; 
the forgiveness of sins ; the resurrection of 
the body; and the life everlasting. amen. 



VI. 

PRAYER. 

Which will ordinarily be free, hut if desirable, the Litany may at any time be 
used as in the Morning Service. 



VII. 

SINGING. 



VIII. 

SERMON. 



22 
IX. 

THANK-OFFERING OF ALMS. 

X. 

SINGING, WITH DOXOLOGY. 

XI. 

PRAYER. 

If desirable, in the use of either of the following : 

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that 
the words which we have heard this day with our 
outward ears, may, through Thy grace, be so graft- 
ed inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring 
forth in us the fruit of good living.; to the honor 
and praise of Thy Name : Through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

O God, Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the Faithful, 
visit, we pray Thee, this congregation with Thy 
love and favor ; enlighten their minds more and 
more with the light of the everlasting Gospel ; 
graft in their hearts a love of the truth ; increase 
in them true religion ; nourish them with all good- 
ness ; and of Thy great mercy keep them in the 
same, O Blessed Spirit: Whom, with the Father 
and the Son, together, we worship and glorify as 
one God, world without end. Amen. 

XII. . 



BENEDICTION. 



THE SACRAMENTS. 



III. 

Site Qtttit in ilu %imluMmtwu M Holy 

The principal parts of the doctrine of Holy Bap- 
ism are these three : 

First. That we with our children are conceived 
and born in sin, and therefore 

[are children of wrath, in- 
somuch that we] 

cannot enter into the Kingdom of 
God, except we are born again. 

[This, the dipping 

in or sprinkling with water teaches us, whereby the impurity 
of our souls is signified, and we are admonished to loathe and 
humble ourselves before God, and seek for our purification and 
salvation without ourselves.] 

Secondly. Holy Baptism witnesseth and sealeth 
unto us the washing away of our sins, through Jesus 
Christ. Therefore we are baptized IN THE name 
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost. 

[For when we are baptized in the name ol 
the Father, God the Father witnesseth and sealeth unto us, 
that He doth make an eternal covenant of grace with us, and 
adopts us for His children and heirs, and therefore will pro- 
vide us with every good thing, and avert all evil or turn it 
to our profit. And when we are baptized in the name of the 



* The abbreviations in this Office may be used at the option of the Minister. 

(*3) 



24 



Son, the Son sealeth unto us that He doth wash us in His blood 
from all our sins, incorporating us into the fellowship of His 
death and resurrection, so that we are freed from all our sins 
and accounted righteous before God. In like manner, when we 
are baptized in the name of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost 
assures us, by this Holy Sacrament, that He will dwell in us, and 
sanctify us to be members of Christ, applying unto us that which 
we have in Christ, namely, the washing away of our sins and 
the daily renewing of our lives, till we shall finally be presented 
without spot or wrinkle among the assembly of the elect in life 
eternal.] 

Thirdly. Whereas in all covenants there are 
contained two *parts, therefore are we by God, 
through Baptism, admonished of, and obliged unto 
new obedience, namely, that we cleave to this One 
God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; that we trust 
in Him and love Him with all our heart, with all 
our soul, with all our mind, and with all our 
strength ; that we forsake the world, crucify our 
old nature, and walk in a new and holy life. 

And if we sometimes, through weakness, fall into 
sin, we must not therefore despair of God's mercy, 
nor continue in sin, since Baptism is a seal and 
undoubted testimony that we have an eternal cove- 
nant of grace with God. 

I. 

TO INFANTS OF BELIEVERS. 
And although our young children do not under- 
stand these things, we may not therefore exclude 
them from Baptism ; for as they are, without their 
knowledge, partakers of the condemnation in Adam, 
so are they again received unto grace in Christ ; 



25 



as God speaketh unto Abraham, the father of all 
the faithful, and therefore unto us and our children, 
(Gen. 17:7,) saying : " I will establish My covenant 
between Me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in 
their generations, for an everlasting covenant ; to 
be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee." 
This also the Apostle Peter testifieth, with these 
words, (Acts 2 : 39 :) " For the promise is unto you, 
and to your children, and to all that are afar off, 
even as many as the Lord our God shall call." There- 
fore God formerly commanded them to be circum- 
cised, which was a seal of the Covenant, and of the 
righteousness of faith ; and therefore Christ also 
embraced them, laid His hands upon them and 
blessed them. (Mark 10: 16.) 

Since then Baptism is come in the place of cir- 
cumcision, infants are to be baptized as heirs of the 
Kingdom of God and of His Covenant. And 
parents are in duty bound, further to instruct their 
children herein, when they shall arrive at years of 
discretion. 

That therefore this Holy Ordinance of God may 
be administered to His glory, to our comfort, and 
to the edification of His Church, let us call upon 
His holy Name. 

PRAYER. 

O Almighty and Eternal God, we beseech Thee 
that Thou wilt be pleased of Thine infinite mercy, 
graciously to look upon these children, and incorpor- 
ate them by Thy Holy Spirit into Thy Son Jesus 
Christ, that they may be buried with Him into 
His death and be raised with Him in newness 
2 



26 



of life ; that they may daily follow Him, joyfully 
bearing their cross, and cleave unto Him in 
true faith, firm hope, and ardent love ; that they 
may, with a' comfortable sense of Thy favor, leave 
this life, which is nothing but a continual death, 
and at the last day, may appear without terror be- 
fore the judgment-seat of Christ Thy Son, through 
Jesus Christ our Lord, who with Thee and the Holy 
Ghost, One Only God, lives and reigns forever. 
Amen. 

an exhortation to the parents, and those 
who come with them to baptism. 

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, you have 
heard that Baptism is an Ordinance of God, to seal 
unto us and to our seed His Covenant. Therefore 
it must be used for that end, and not out of custom 
or superstition. That it may then be manifest that 
you are thus minded, you are to answer sincerely 
to these questions : 

First. Do you acknowledge, that although our 
children are conceived and born in sin, and there- 
fore are subject to all miseries,- yea, to condemna- 
tion itself ; yet that they are sanctified* in Christ, 
and therefore, as members of His Church, ought to 
be baptized ? 

Secondly. Do you acknowledge the doctrine 
which is contained in the Old and New Testament, 
and in the Articles of the Christian faith, and which 
is taught here in this Christian Church, to be the 
true and perfectf doctrine of salvation ? 



* 11 My children Ezek. 16 : 21. " They are holy :" 1 Cor. 7 : 14. 
t Butch : Volkomene — complete. 



27 



Thirdly. Do you promise and intend to see these 
children, when come to the years of discretion, in- 
structed and brought up in the aforesaid doctrine, 
or to help or cause them to be instructed therein, 
to the utmost of your power? 

Answer. Yes. 

Then the Minister of God's Word, in baptizing, shall say : 

— — — , I baptize thee, in the name of the Fa- 
ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

THANKSGIVING. 

Almighty God and Merciful Father, we thank 
and praise Thee, that Thou hast forgiven us, and 
our children, all our sins, through the blood of Thy 
Beloved Son Jesus Christ, and received us through 
Thy Holy Spirit, as members of Thy Only Begot- 
ten Son, and adopted us to be Thy children, and 
sealed and confirmed the same unto us by Holy 
Baptism. We beseech Thee, through the same Son 
of Thy love, that Thou wilt be pleased always to 
govern these baptized children by Thy Holy Spirit ; 
that they may be piously and religiously educated, 
increase and grow up in the Lord Jesus Christ ; 
that they then may acknowledge Thy Fatherly good- 
ness and mercy, which Thou hast shown to them 
and us ; and live in all righteousness, under our 
only Teacher, King, and High-Priest, Jesus Christ ; 
and manfully fight against and overcome sin, the 
devil, and his whole dominion, to the end that they 
may eternally praise and magnify Thee, and Thy 
Son Jesus Christ, together with the Holy Ghost, 
the One Only True God. Amen. 



28 



II. 

TO ADULT PERSONS. 

However, children of Christian parents, although 
they understand not this mystery, must be baptized, 
by virtue of the Covenant ; yet it is not lawful to 
baptize those who have come to years of discre- 
tion, except they first be sensible of their sins, and 
make confession both of their repentance and their 
faith in Christ. For this cause 

[not only did John the 
Baptist preach, according to the command of God, the baptism 
of repentance, and baptize for the remission of sin, those who 
confessed their sins, (Mark I 14;) but] 

our Lord Jesus Christ 
[also] commanded His disciples to teach all nations, 
and then to baptize them, in the name of the Fa- 
ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, add- 
ing this promise : " He that believeth and is bap- 
tized shall be saved.'' According to which rule 
the Apostles [Acts 2, 10, 16] baptized none who were 
of years of discretion, but such as made confession 
of their faith and repentance. Therefore it is not 
lawful now to baptize any other adult persons, than 
such as have been taught the mysteries of Holy Bap- 
tism by the preaching of the Gospel, and are able 
to give an account of their faith by the confession 
of the mouth. 

Since therefore you, , are also desirous 

of Holy Baptism, to the end it may be to you a seal 
of your engrafting into the Church of God ; that it 



2 9 



may appear that you do not only receive the Chris- 
tian religion, 

[in which you have been privately instructed by 
us, and of which also you have made confession before us,] 

but 

that you, through the grace of God, intend and 
purpose to lead a life according to the same ; you 
are sincerely to give answer before God and His 
Church : 

First. Dost thou believe in the Only True God, 
distinct in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost, Who hath made heaven and earth, and all 
that in them is, of nothing, and still maintains 
and governs them, insomuch that nothing comes to 
pass, either in heaven or on earth, without His 
divine will ? 

Answer. Yes. 

Secondly. Dost thou believe that thou art con- 
ceived and born in sin, and therefore art a child of 
wrath by nature, 

[wholly incapable of doing any good and 

prone to all evil ;] 

and that thou hast frequently, both 
in thought, word, and deed, transgressed the com- 
mandments of the Lord ; and art thou heartily 
sorry for these sins ? 
Answer. Yes. 

Thirdly. Dost thou believe that Christ, who is 
the True and Eternal God, and Very Man, 

[who took 

His human nature on Him out of the flesh and blood of the Virgin 
Mary,] 

is given thee of God, to be thy Saviour ; and 



30 



that thou dost receive, by this faith, remission of 
sins in His blood ; and that thou art made, by the 
power of the Holy Ghost, a member of Jesus Christ 
and of His Church ? 
Answer. Yes. 

Fourthly. Dost thou assent to all the Articles of 
the Christian religion, as they are taught here in 
this Christian Church, according to the Word of 
God ; and purpose steadfastly to continue in the 
same doctrine to the end of thy life ; and also dost 
thou reject all heresies and schisms, repugnant to 
this doctrine, and promise to persevere in the com- 
munion of our Christian Church, not only in the 
hearing of the Word, but also in the use of the 
Lord's Supper ? 

Answer. Yes. 

Fifthly. Hast thou taken a firm resolution always 
to lead a Christian life ; to forsake the world and 
its evil lusts, as is becoming the members of Christ 
and His Church ; and to submit thyself to all Chris- 
tian admonitions ? 

Answer. Yes. 

The Good and Great God mercifully grant His 
grace and blessing to this thy purpose, through 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Then the Minister of God's Word, in baptizing, shall say : 

, I baptize thee, in the name of the 

Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
Amen. 

thanksgiving. 
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we give 
Thee most humble and hearty thanks that Thou 



3 i 



hast called us to the knowledge of Thy grace, and 
unto the faith of Thy Son, and unto the Covenant 
of salvation, wherein we are sealed by Holy Bap- 
tism. Give Thy Holy Spirit to these Thy servants, 
that, being born again and made heirs of God, they 
may keep themselves in Thy love, and receive the 
fulfilment of Thy promises ; through our Lord Jesus 
Christ, Who, with Thee, O Father, and the Holy 
Ghost, the One Only True God, liveth and reigneth, 
world without end. Amen. 



IV. 




The Candidates shall stand "before the Minister. While they are coming for- 
ward, an appropriate hymn may he sung. 

Then the Minister will say : 

Dearly Beloved in Christ. As children of your 
Heavenly Father you stand here for the deliberate 
and public ratification in your own persons of that 
Covenant of God of which your Baptism is the seal. 
You have already been duly instructed, and have 
made confession before us of your faith in the Bles- 
sed Saviour. And now in this most solemn manner, 
before God and His Church, you are to repeat and 
renew that confession. 

I ask each one of you, then : 

First. Dost thou believe in God the Father Al- 
mighty, Maker of heaven and earth ? 
Answer. I do. 

Secondly. Dost thou believe in Jesus Christ His 
only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the 

Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered 

(32) 



33 



under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and 
buried ; He descended into hell ; the third day He 
rose again from the dead ; He ascended into heaven, 
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father 
Almighty ; from thence He shall come to judge the 
quick and the dead ? 
Answer. I do. 

Thirdly. Dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost ; 
the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints ; 
the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the 
body ; and the life everlasting ? 

Answer. I do. 

Fourthly. Dost thou purpose steadfastly to con- 
tinue to the end of thy life in the truth affirmed in 
these Articles of the Christian Faith as they are 
taught here in this Church, according to the Word 
of God, rejecting all heresies and schisms repug- 
nant thereto ? 

Answer. I do. 

Fifthly. Dost thou promise to persevere in the 
communion of the Christian Church, and in the 
diligent use of all the means of grace, especially in 
the hearing of the Word and the use of the Lord's 
Supper, to seek the things that make for purity and 
peace, and to submit thyself to all Christian care 
and admonition ? 

Answer. I do. 

Then the Minister will say : 

Since, then, thou hast witnessed this good confes- 
sion ; in the name of the Church and of Jesus 
Christ her Lord and Head, I do now welcome thee 
to full communion with the People of God. 



34 



[The following, or some other appropriate blessing, will then be used, given to 
each one separately, or to all together, as the Minister may choose.] 

The mountains shall depart and the hills be re- 
moved ; but My kindness shall not depart from 
thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be re- 
moved, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. 

The Lord bless thee and keep thee ! 

The Lord make His face shine upon thee and be 
gracious unto thee ! 

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee 
and give thee peace ! Amen. 

[The Minister will then offer the following Thanksgiving.] 

Almighty and Everlasting God, we thank and 
praise Thee that Thou hast vouchsafed unto these 
Thy servants, power and grace, to own and accept 
for themselves Thy holy covenant, sealed and con- 
firmed to them in their baptism. Strengthen them 
we beseech Thee with the Holy Ghost the Com- 
forter. Increase in them daily Thy manifold gifts 
of grace ; the spirit of wisdom and understanding, 
the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of know- 
ledge and of the fear of the Lord. Keep them from 
the evil that is in the world. Defend them from 
the power of the devil. Enable them to walk in 
the Spirit, that they may not fulfil the lusts of the 
flesh ; and so lead them in the knowledge and obe- 
dience of Thy Word that they may obtain ever- 
lasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who, 
with Thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, 
ever one God, world without end. Amen. 



V. 




I* 

Before the administration of the Holy Communion the Minister shall say : 

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, attend to the 
words of the institution of the Holy Supper of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, as they are delivered by the 
holy Apostle Paul, i Cor. xi : 23-30. 

" For I have received of the Lord that which 
also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the 
same night in which He was betrayed, took bread ; 
and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and 
said, Take, eat : this is My body, which is broken 
for you : this do in remembrance of Me. After 
the same manner, also, He took the cup when He 
had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament 
in My blood : this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in re- 
membrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this 
bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's 

* This first part of the Communion Office, being of its nature preparatory, 
may at the discretion of the Minister, be used at the usual service, preparatory 
to the Communion. The use of the abbreviations in this Office is at the option 
of the Minister. 

(35) 



36 



death till He come. Wherefore, whosoever shall 
eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord un- 
worthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of 
the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so 
let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup ; 
for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth 
and drinketh damnation* to himself, not discerning 
the Lord's body." 

That we may [now] celebrate the Supper of the 
Lord to our comfort, it is above all things neces- 
sary ; 

I. Rightly to examine ourselves. 

II. To direct the Supper to that end for which 
Christ hath ordained and instituted the same, name- 
ly, to His remembrance. 

The true examination of ourselves consists of 
these three parts : 

First, That every one consider by himself his 
sins and the curse due to him for them, to the end 
that he may abhor and humble himself before God: 
considering that the wrath of God against sin is so 
great, that, rather than it should go unpunished, 
He hath punished the same in His Beloved Son 
Jesus Christ, with the bitter and. shameful death of 
the cross. 

Secondly. That every one examine his own heart, 
whether he doth believe this faithful promise of 
God, that all his sins are forgiven him only for the 
sake of the passion and death of Jesus Christ ; and 
that the perfect righteousness of Christ is imputed 
and freely given him as his own, yea, so perfectly 



* Greek, Kpifia — Dutch, Oordeel. Eng., judgment, condemnation. 



37 



as if he had satisfied in his own person for all his 
sins, and fulfilled all righteousness. 

Thirdly, That every one examine his own con- 
science, whether he purposeth henceforth to show 
true thankfulness to God in his whole life, and to 
walk uprightly before Him ; as also, whether he 
hath laid aside unfeignedly, all enmity, hatred, and 
envy, and doth firmly resolve henceforth to walk in 
true love and peace with his neighbor. 

All those, then, who are thus disposed, God will 
certainly receive in mercy, and count them worthy 
partakers of the table of His Son Jesus Christ. 
On the contrary, those who do not feel this testi- 
mony in their hearts, eat and drink judgment to 
themselves. 

Therefore, we also, according to the command of 
Christ and the Apostle Paul, admonish all those 
[who are defiled with the following sins] 

to keep themselves 

from the table of the Lord, 

[and declare to them that they 
have no part of the kingdom of Christ ; such as all idolaters ; all 
those who invoke deceased saints, angels, or other creatures ; all 
those who worship images ; all enchanters, diviners, charmers, 
and those who confide in such enchantments ; all despisers of 
God and His Word, and of the Holy Sacraments ; all blasphem- 
ers ; all those who are given to raise discord, sects, and mutiny, 
in church or state ; all perjured persons ; all those who are dis- 
obedient to their parents and superiors ; all murderers, conten- 
tious persons, and those who live in hatred and envy against 
their neighbors ; all adulterers, whoremongers, drunkards, thieves, 
usurers, robbers, gamesters, covetous ; and all] 

who lead of- 
fensive lives. 



38 



All these, while they continue in such sins, shall 
abstain from this meat, which Christ hath ordained 
only for the faithful, lest their judgment and con- 
demnation be made the heavier. 

But this is not designed, dearly beloved brethren 
and sisters in the Lord, to deject the contrite 
hearts of the faithful, as if none might come to the 
Supper of the Lord, but those who are without 
sin. For we do not come to this Supper to testify 
thereby that we are perfect and righteous in our- 
selves ; but on the contrary, considering that we 
seek our life out of ourselves, in Jesus Christ, we 
acknowledge that we lie in the midst of death. 
Therefore, notwithstanding we feel many infirmities 
and miseries in ourselves ; as namely, that we have 
not perfect faith, and that we do not give ourselves 
to serve God with such zeal as we are bound, but 
have daily to strive with the weakness of our faith, 
and the evil lusts of our flesh ; yet, since we are, 
by the grace of the Holy Ghost, sorry for these 
weaknesses, and earnestly desirous to fight against 
our unbelief, and to live according to all the com- 
mandments of God, therefore we rest assured that 
no sin or infirmity, which still remaineth, against 
our will, in us, can hinder us from being received 
of God in mercy, and from being made worthy 
partakers of this heavenly meat and drink. 



39 



ii. 

At the administration of the Holy Communion, the Minister shall say : 

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Let us now, [also,] consider to what end the 
Lord hath instituted His Supper, namely, that we 
do it in remembrance of Him. Now, after this 
manner are we to remember Him by it. 

i. That we be confidently persuaded in our 
hearts, that our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the 
promises made to our forefathers in the Old Testa- 
ment, was sent of the Father into the world : that 
He assumed our flesh and blood : that He bore for 
us the wrath of God, under which we should have 
perished everlastingly, from the beginning of His 
incarnation to the end of His life upon earth : that 
He fulfilled for us all obedience to the divine law, 
and righteousness, especially when the weight of 
our sins and the wrath of God pressed out of Him 
the bloody sweat in the garden, where He was 
bound that we might be freed from our sins : that 
He afterward suffered innumerable reproaches, 
that we might never be confounded ; that He, al- 
though innocent, was condemned to death, that we 
might be acquitted at the judgment-seat of God : 
yea, that He suffered His blessed body to be nailed 
on the cross, that He might affix thereon the hand- 
writing of our sins : that He also took upon Him- 
self the curse due to us, that He might fill us with 
His blessings : that He humbled Himself unto the 
deepest reproach and pains of hell, both in body 
and soul, on the tree of the cross, when he cried 
out with a loud voice, My God, My God ! why hast 



40 



thou forsaken me ? that we might be accepted of 
God, and never be forsaken of Him : and finally 
that He confirmed, with His death and shedding of 
His blood, the new and eternal testament, that 
covenant of grace and reconciliation, when He 
said, It is finished. 

2. And, that we might firmly believe that we be- 
long to this Covenant of Grace, the Lord Jesus 
Christ, in His Last Supper, " took bread, and when 
He had given thanks, He brake it, and gave it to 
His disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is My body 
which is broken for you, this do in remembrance 
of Me : in like manner also, after supper, He took 
the cup, gave thanks and said, Drink ye all of it; 
this cup is the new testament in My blood, which 
is shed for you and for many, for the remission of 
sins ; this do ye, as often as ye drink it, in remem- 
brance of Me." That is, as often as ye eat of this 
bread, and drink of this cup, you shall thereby, as 
by a sure remembrance and pledge, be admonished 
and assured of this My hearty love and faithfulness 
toward you : that whereas you should otherwise 
have suffered eternal death, I have given My body 
to the death of the cross, and shed My blood for 
you ; and as certainly feed and nourish your hung- 
ry and thirsty soul with My crucified body and 
shed blood to everlasting life, as this bread is 
broken before your eyes, and this cup is given to 
you, and you eat and drink the same with your 
mouth, in remembrance of Me. 

From this institution of the Holy Supper of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, we see that He directs our faith 



4i 

and trust to His Perfect Sacrifice, once offered on 
the cross, as to the only ground and foundation of 
our salvation; wherein He is become to our hung- 
ry and thirsty souls, the true meat and drink of life 
eternal. For by His death He hath taken away the 
cause of our eternal death and misery, namely, sin; 
and obtained for us the Quickening Spirit, that we 
by the same, which dwelleth in Christ as the Head, 
and in us as His members, might have true com- 
munion with Him, and be made partakers of all 
His blessings, of life eternal, righteousness, and 
glory. 

Besides, that we, by the same Spirit may also be 
united as members of one Body, in true brotherly 
love ; as the holy Apostle saith, " For we, being 
many, are one bread and one body ; for we are all 
partakers of that one bread.' ' 

[For as out of many grains 
one meal is ground and one bread baked, and out of many ber- 
ries being pressed together, one wine floweth and mixeth itself 
together ; so shall we all, who by a true faith are ingrafted into 
Christ, through brotherly love be altogether one body, for the 
sake of Christ, our Beloved Saviour, who hath so exceedingly 
loved us ; and shall show this, not only in word, but also in very 
deed towards one another.] 

Hereto assist us, the Almighty God and Father 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, through His Holy Spirit ! 
Amen. 

That we may obtain all this, let us humble our- 
selves before God, and with true faith implore His 
grace. 



42 



PRAYER. 

O Most Merciful God and Father, we beseech 
Thee, that Thou wilt be pleased, in this Supper, in 
which we celebrate the glorious remembrance of 
the bitter death of Thy Beloved Son Jesus Christ, 
to work in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, that 
we may daily, more and more, with true confidence, 
give ourselves up unto Thy Son Jesus Christ, so 
that our afflicted and contrite hearts, through the 
power of the Holy Ghost, may be fed and comfort- 
ed with His true body and blood; yea, with Him, 
True God and Man, that Only Heavenly Bread : and 
that we may no longer live in our sins, but He in 
us, and we in Him ; and thus truly be made partak- 
ers of the new and everlasting testament and cove- 
nant of grace : that we may not doubt that Thou 
wilt for ever be our Gracious Father, never more 
imputing our sins unto us, and providing us, as Thy 
beloved children and heirs, with all things neces- 
sary, as well for the body as the soul. Grant us 
also Thy grace, that we may take upon us our cross 
cheerfully, deny ourselves, confess our Saviour, and 
in all tribulations, with uplifted heads expect our 
Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, where He will 
make our mortal bodies like unto His most glorious 
body, and take us unto Him in eternity. 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed 
be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will 
be done on earth as it is in heaven: Give 
us this day our daily bread: and forgive 
us our debts, as we forgive our debtors : 



43 



And lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever. amen. 

Strengthen us also by this Holy Supper in the 
Catholic undoubted Christian Faith, whereof we 
make confession with our mouths and hearts, 
saying :* 

i believe in god, the father almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth ; 

And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord ; 
who was conceived by the holy ghost, born 
of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius 
Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He 

DESCENDED INTO HELL ; THE THIRD DAY He ROSE 
AGAIN FROM THE DEAD ; He ASCENDED INTO HEA- 
ven ; and sitteth at the right hand of god 
the Father Almighty ; from thence He shall 
come to judge the quick and the dead. 

i believe in the holy ghost ; the holy 
Catholic Church, the communion of saints ; 
the forgiveness of sins ; the resurrection of 
the body ; and the life everlasting. amen. 

That we may be now fed with the True Heavenly 
Bread, Christ Jesus, let us not cleave with our hearts 
unto the external bread and wine, but lift them up 
on high in heaven, where Christ Jesus is our Advo- 
cate, at the right hand of His Heavenly Father, 
whither all the Articles of our Faith lead us ; not 

* The words "with our mouths and hearts. evidently require the audible 
confession of these ''Articles of the Christian Faith," both by the Minister 
and the people. And such was the ancient usage. It is recommended that 
it be restored. 



44 

doubting that, through the working of the Holy 
Ghost, we shall as certainly be fed and refreshed in 
our souls with His Body and Blood, as we receive 
the holy bread and wine, in remembrance of Him. 

In breaking and distributing the bread, the Minister shall say : 

The bread which we break, is the communion 
of the Body of Christ. 

And when he giveth the cup : 

The cup of blessing, which we bless, is the com- 
munion of the Blood of Christ. 

During the Communion, a Psalm shall or may be devoutly sung, or some 
chapter read, in remembrance of the death of Christ, as Isaiah liii, John xiii, 
xiv, xv, xvi, xvii, xviii, or the like. 



III. 

After the Communion, the Minister shall say : 

Beloved in the Lord, since the Lord hath now 
fed our souls at His table, let us therefore jointly 
praise His Holy Name, with thanksgiving, and 
every one say in his heart, thus : * 

Bless the Lord, O my soul ; and all that is with- 
in me, bless His Holy Name. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not 
all His benefits. 

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities ; Who healeth 
all thy diseases. 



* It is recommended that this Psalm of Thanksgiving, (Psalm 103), be read re- 
spousively by the Minister and people ; the Minister reading the first verse, the 
people the second, and so on. 



45 

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction ; 
who crowneth thee with loving-kindness 
and tender mercies. 

The Lord is merciful and gracious; slow to 
anger, and plenteous in mercy. 

He hath not dealt with us after our sins ; 
nor rewarded us according to our iniqui- 
TIES. 

For as the heaven is high above the earth ; so 
great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. 

AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST ; SO 
FAR HATH HE REMOVED OUR TRANSGRESSIONS 
FROM US. 

Like as a father pitieth his children ; so the Lord 
pitieth them that fear Him. 

[Who hath 

not spared His Own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, and 
given us all things with Him. Therefore God commendeth 
therewith His love toward us, in that while we were yet sin- 
ners, Christ died for us ; much more then, being now justified by 
His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For, if, 
when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death 
of His Son ; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by 
His life. Therefore shall my mouth and heart show forth the 
praise of the Lord from this time forth for evermore.] Amen. 

Let every one say with an attentive heart : 

O Almighty, Merciful God and Father, we ren- 
der Thee most humble and hearty thanks, that 
Thou hast, of Thine infinite mercy, given us Thine 
Only Begotten Son, for a Mediator and a Sacrifice 
for our sins, and to be our Meat and Drink unto life 
eternal ; and that Thou givest us lively faith, where- 
by we are made partakers of these Thy benefits. 



46 



Thou hast also been pleased, that Thy Beloved Son 
Jesus Christ should institute and ordain His Holy- 
Supper for the confirmation of the same. Grant, 
we beseech Thee, O Faithful God and Father, that 
through the operation of Thy Holy Spirit, the com- 
memoration of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ 
may tend to the daily increase of our faith, and of 
our saving fellowship with Him : Through Jesus 
Christ Thy Son, in whose Name we conclude our 
prayers, saying : 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed 
be Thy Ni¥ME : Thy kingdom come : Thy will 

BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN: GlVE 
US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD : AND FORGIVE 
US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS : 
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER 
US FROM EVIL : FOR THIN^ IS THE KINGDOM, AND 
THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER. AMEN. 



CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 



VI. 

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is known 
unto you, that we have several times, and by seve- 
ral methods declared unto you the great sin com- 
mitted, and the heinous offence given by our fellow 
member N., to the end that he, by your Christian 
admonition, and prayers to God, might be brought 
to repentance, and so be freed from the bonds of the 
devil by whom he is held captive, and be recovered 
by the will of the Lord. But we cannot conceal 
from you, with great sorrow, that no one has as yet 
appeared before us, who hath in the least given us 
to understand that he, by the frequent admonitions 
given him, as well in private, as before witnesses, 
and in the presence of many, is come to any remorse 
for his sins, or hath shown the least token of true 
repentance. Since then by his stubbornness, he 
daily aggravates his sin, which in itself is not small, 



4 8 



and since we lately signified unto you that in case 
he did not repent, after such patience shown him by 
the Church, we should be under the disagreeable 
necessity of being further grieved for him, and 
should come to the last remedy : we at this present 
are necessitated to proceed to this excommunication, 

. according to the command and charge given us by 
God in his Holy Word ; to the end that he may 
hereby be made, if possible, ashamed of his sins ; 

• and likewise that we may not, by this rotten, and 
as yet incurable member, put the whole body of 
the Church in danger, and that God's Name may 
not be blasphemed. 

Therefore, we, the Ministers and rulers of the 
Church of God, being here assembled ; in the name 
and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, declare be- 
fore you all, that for the aforesaid reasons we have 
excommunicated, and by these do excommunicate 
N. from the Church of God, and from the fellow- 
ship of Christ and of the Holy Sacraments, and 
from all the spiritual blessings and benefits, which 
God promises to and bestows upon His Church, so 
long as he obstinately and impenitently persists in 
his sins ; and he is therefore to be accounted by you 
as a heathen man and a publican, according to the 
command of Christ, who saith that whatsoever His 
ministers shall bind on earth, shall be bound in 
heaven. 

Further, we exhort you, beloved Christians, to 
keep no company with him, that he may be asham- 
ed ; yet count him not as an enemy, but at all times 
admonish him as you would a brother. In the 



49 



mean time let every one take warning by this and 
such like examples, to fear the Lord, and diligently 
take heed unto himself, if he thinketh he standeth, 
lest he fall ; but having true fellowship with the 
Father and His Son Jesus Christ, together with all 
faithful Christians, remain steadfast therein to the 
end, and so to obtain eternal salvation ! You have 
seen, beloved brethren and sisters, in what manner 
this our excomunicated brother has begun to fall, 
and by degrees is come to ruin ; observe, therefore, 
how subtle Satan is, to bring man to destruction, 
and to withdraw him from all salutary means of 
salvation. Guard, then, against the least begin- 
nings of evil, " and laying aside every weight and 
the sin which doth so easily beset us, let us run 
with patience the race that is set before us, looking 
unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith. Be 
sober ; watch and pray, lest you enter into tempta- 
tion. To-day, if you will hear the voice of the 
Lord, harden not your hearts, but work out your 
own salvation with fear and trembling and let 
every one repent of his sins, that our God may not 
humble us again, and we be obliged to bewail some 
one of you ; but that you, living with one accord 
in all godliness, may be our crown and joy in the 
Lord. 

Since it is God who worketh in us, both to will 
and to do of his good pleasure, let us call upon 
His Holy Name with confession of our sins, saying : 



3 



5o 



PRAYER. 

O Righteous God and Merciful Father, we be- 
wail our sins before Thy High Majesty, and acknow- 
ledge that we have deserved the grief and sorrow 
caused us by the "cutting off of this our late fellow 
member ; yea, shouldst Thou enter into judgment 
with us, we all deserve, by reason of our great 
transgressions, to be cut off and banished from Thy 
presence. But, O Lord, Thou art merciful unto us 
for Christ's sake ; forgive us our trespasses, for we 
heartily repent of them, and daily work in our 
hearts a greater measure of sorrow for them; that 
we, fearing Thy judgments which Thou executest 
against the stiff-necked, may endeavor to please 
Thee. Help us to avoid all pollution of the world, 
and of those who are cut off from the communion 
of the Church, that we may not make ourselves 
partakers of their sins ; and grant that he, who is 
excommunicated, may become ashamed of his sins. 
And since Thou desirest not the death of a sinner, 
but that he may repent and live, and since the 
bosom of Thy Church is alway open for those, who 
turn away from their wickedness ; we, therefore, 
humbly beseech Thee, to kindle in our hearts a 
pious zeal, that we may labor, with Christian admo- 
nitions and examples, to bring again this excom- 
municated person into the right way, together with 
all those who, through unbelief or dissoluteness of 
life, go astray. 

Give Thy blessing to our admonitions, that we 
may have reason thereby to rejoice again in him, 



for whom we must now mourn ; and that Thy Holy 
Name may be praised, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ, Who hath taught us to pray : 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hal- 
lowed be Thy name : Thy kingdom come : Thy 
will be done on earth as it is in heaven : glve 
us this day our daily bread : and forgive us 
our debts, as we forgive our debtors: and 
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us 
from evil : For Thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever. amen. 



II. 




INTO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. 



Beloved in the Lord, it is known unto you, that 
some time ago our fellow member N. was cut off 
from the Church of Christ ; we cannot now conceal 
from you, that he, by the above mentioned remedy, 
as also by the means of good admonition and your 
Christian prayers, is come so far, that he is ashamed 
of his sins, praying us to be re-admitted into the 
communion of the Church. 

Since we then, by virtue of the command of 
God, are in duty bound to receive such persons 
with joy, and it being necessary that good order 
should be used therein, we therefore give you to 
understand hereby, that we purpose to loose again 
the aforementioned excommunicated person from 



52 



the bond of excommunication, the next time when 
by the grace of God we celebrate the Supper of 
the Lord, and receive him again into the commu- 
nion of the Church ; except any one of you, in the 
mean time, shall show just cause why this ought not 
to be done, of which you must give notice to us in 
due time. In the mean time, let every one thank 
the Lord for the mercy shown this poor sinner, 
beseeching Him to perfect his work in him to his 
eternal salvation. Amen. 

Afterwards, if no impediment be alleged, the Minister shall proceed to the 
re-admission of the excommunicated person, in the following manner : 

Beloved Christians, we have the last time in- 
formed you of the repentance of our fellow member 
N. to the end that he might with your foreknowl- 
edge be received into the Church of Christ ; and 
whereas no one has alleged any thing why his 
re-admission ought not to take place, we therefore, 
at present, purpose to proceed to the same. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ, Matt. 18, having con- 
firmed the sentence of His Church, in the excom- 
munication of impenitent sinners, declareth imme- 
diately thereupon, that whatsoever his Ministers shall 
loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven ; whereby He 
giveth to understand, that when any person is cut 
off from His Church he is not deprived of all hope of 
salvation; but can again be loosed from the bonds 
of condemnation. Therefore, since God declares in 
His Word, that He takes no pleasure in the death of 
a sinner, but that he turn from his wickedness and 
live, so the Church always hopes for the repentance 
of the backsliding sinner, and keepeth her bosom 



53 



open to receive the penitent ; accordingly the 
Apostle Paul, I Cor. 5, commanded the Corinthian 
(whom he had declared ought to be cut off from 
the Church) to be again received and comforted, 
since being reproved by many, he was come to the 
knowledge of his sins : to the end that he should not 
be swallowed up with over-much sorrow. 2 Cor. 2. 

Secondly ', Christ teaches us in the aforementioned 
text, that the sentence of absolution, which is passed 
upon such a penitent sinner according to the word 
of God ? is counted sure and firm by the Lord ; 
therefore, no one ought to doubt in the least, who 
truly repents, that he is assuredly received by God 
in mercy, as Christ saith, John, Chap. 20, Whose so- 
ever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them. 

But now to proceed to the matter in hand : I ask 
thee, N. whether thou dost declare here with all 
thine heart before God and His Church, that thou 
art sincerely sorry for the sin and stubbornness, for 
which thou hast justly been cut off from the 
Church : whether thou dost also truly believe, that 
the Lord hath forgiven thee, and doth forgive thy 
sins for Chrises sake, and that thou therefore art 
desirous to be re-admitted into the Church of 
Christ, promising henceforth to live in all godliness 
according to the command of the Lord ? 

Answer. Yes, verily. 

Then the Minister shall further say, 

We, then, here assembled in the Name and 
authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, declare thee 
N. to be absolved from the bonds of excommunica- 
tion ; and do receive thee again into the Church of 



54 



the Lord, and declare unto thee that thou art in 
the communion of Christ and of the Holy Sacra- 
ments, and of all the spiritual blessings and benefits 
of God which He promiseth to and bestoweth 
upon His Church : may the Eternal God preserve 
thee therein, to the end, through His only begotten 
Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Be therefore assured in thy heart, my beloved 
brother, that the Lord hath again received thee in 
mercy. Be diligent henceforward to guard thyself 
against the subtlety of Satan, and the wickedness of 
the world, to the end that thou mayest not fall 
again into sin : love Christ, for many sins are for- 
given thee. 

And you, beloved Christians, receive this your 
brother with hearty affection ; be glad that he was 
dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found ; 
rejoice with the angels of heaven, over this sinner 
who repenteth : count him no longer as a stranger, 
but as a fellow citizen with the saints, and of the 
household of God. And whereas we can have no 
good of ourselves, let us, praising and magnifying 
the Lord Almighty, implore His mercy, saying, 

PRAYER. 

Gracious God and Father, we thank Thee,, 
through Jesus Christ, that Thou hast been pleased 
to give this our fellow brother repentance unto life, 
and us cause to rejoice in his conversion. We 
beseech Thee, show him Thy mercy, that he may 
become more and more assured in his mind of the 



55 



remission of his sins, and that he may receive from 
thence inexpressible joy and delight to serve Thee. 
And whereas he hath heretofore by his sins offended 
many, grant that he may, by his conversion, edify 
many. Grant also that he may steadfastly walk in 
Thy ways, to the end ; and may we learn from this 
example, that with Thee is mercy, that Thou may- 
est be feared ; and that we, counting him for our 
brother and co-heir of life eternal, may jointly serve 
Thee with filial fear and obedience all the days ot 
our life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose 
Name we thus conclude our prayer: 

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed 
be Thy name : Thy kingdom come : Thy will 
be done on earth, as it is in heaven : glve 
us this day our daily bread : and forgive 
us our debts, as we forgive our debtors: 
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil : for thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever. amen. 



FORMS OF ORDINATION. 



V II. 



i. 

|0i? #rlai»in| tit* Pittite si % W«l 

The sermon and the usual prayers being finished, the Minister shall thus speak 
to the Congregation : 

Beloved Brethren : it is known unto you, that 
we have now at three different times published the 
name of our brother N., here present, to learn 
whether any person had aught to offer concerning 
his doctrine or life, why he might not be ordained 
to the Ministry of the Word. And, whereas, no 
one hath appeared before us, who hath alleged 
any thing lawful against his person, we shall there- 
fore at present, in the Name of the Lord, proceed 
to his ordination. For which purpose, ) r ou N., 
and all those who are here present, shall first at- 
tend to a short declaration taken from the Word 
of God, touching the Institution and the Office 
of Pastors and Ministers of God's Word : 

Where, in the first place, you are to observe, that 
God our Heavenly Father, willing to call and 
gather a Church from amongst the corrupt race of 
men unto life eternal, doth by a particular mark of 

His favor use the ministry of men therein. There- 

(56) 



57 



fore the Apostle Paul saith, that the Lord Jesus 
Christ "gave some, apostles; and some, proph- 
ets ; and some, evangelists ; and some, pastors and 
teachers ; for the perfecting of the saints, for the 
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body 
of Christ." Here we see that the Holy Apostle 
among other things saith, that the Pastoral office is 
an Institution of Christ. 

What this Holy Office enjoins, may easily be ga- 
thered from the very name itself ; for as it is the 
duty of a common shepherd, to feed, guide, protect, 
and rule the flock committed to his charge ; so it is 
with regard to these spiritual shepherds, who are 
set over the Church which God calleth unto salva- 
tion, and counts as sheep of His pasture. The pas- 
ture with which these sheep are fed, is nothing but 
the preaching of the Gospel, accompanied with 
Prayer, and the administration of the Holy Sacra- 
ments. The same Word of God is likewise the staff 
with which the flock is guided and ruled. Conse- 
quently, it is evident that the office of Pastors and 
Ministers of God's Word is : 

First, That they faithfully explain to their flock, 
the Word of the Lord, revealed by the writings of 
the prophets and the'apostles ; and apply the same, 
as well in general as in particular, to the edification 
of the hearers ; instructing, admonishing, comfort- 
ing, and reproving, according to every one's need ; 
preaching repentance towards God, and reconcilia- 
tion with Him through faith in Christ ; and refuting 
with the Holy Scriptures all schisms and heresies 
which are repugnant to the pure doctrine. All 



58 



this is clearly signified to us in Holy Writ ; for the 
Apostle Paul saith, that these labor in, the Word ; 
and elsewhere he teaches that this must be done 
according to the measure [or rule] of faith. He 
writes also that a Pastor must hold fast and rightly 
divide the faithful and sincere Word which is ac- 
cording to the doctrine : " likewise, he that prophe- 
sieth [that is, preacheth God's Word], speaketh un- 
to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." 
In another place, he proposes himself as a pattern 
to Pastors, declaring that he " publicly, and from 
bouse to house, taught, and testified repentance to- 
wards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus 
Christ." But particularly we have a clear descrip-. 
tion of the office of Ministers of God's Word, (2 
Cor. 5 : 18-20), where the Apostle thus speaketh, 
" And all things are of God, who hath reconciled 
us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us 
[namely to the Apostles and Pastors], the ministry 
of reconciliation ; to wit, that God was in Christ, 
reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing 
their trespasses unto them ; and hath committed 
unto us the word of reconciliation. Now, then, we 
are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did be- 
seech you by us : we pray you in Christ's stead, be 
ye reconciled to God." Concerning the refutation 
of false doctrine, the same Apostle saith (Tit. 1 : 9), 
that a Minister must " hold fast the faithful Word 
of God, that he may be able by sound doctrine both 
to exhort and convince the gainsayers." 

Secondly. It is the Office of the Ministers, publicly 
to call upon the Name of the Lord in behalf of the 



59 



whole congregation ; for that which the Apostles 
say, " We will give ourselves continually to prayer, 
and to the ministry of the Word," is common to 
these Pastors and the Apostles ; to which St. Paul, 
alluding, thus speaketh to Timothy : " I exhort, 
therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, 
intercessions and giving of thanks, be made for all 
men : for kings, and for all that are in authority," 
etc., (i Tim. 2 : 1, 2). 

Thirdly. Their Office is to administer the Sacra- 
ments which the Lord hath instituted as seals of 
His grace; as is evident from the command given 
by Christ to the Apostles, and in them to all Pas- 
tors : " Baptize them in the Name of the Father, and 
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Likewise, 
" For I have received of the Lord that which also 
I delivered unto } r ou," etc. 

Finally. It is the duty of the Ministers of the 
Word, to keep the Church of God in good disci- 
pline, and to govern it in such a manner as the 
Lord hath ordained. For Christ, having spoken of 
the Christian discipline, says to His Apostles, 
" Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound 
in heaven/' And St. Paul will have the Ministers 
know how to rule their own house, since they 
otherwise neither can provide for, nor rule the 
Church of God. This is the reason why the Pastors 
are in Scripture called Stewards of God and Bishops, 
that is, overseers and watchmen ; for they have the 
oversight of the house of God, wherein they are 
conversant, to the end that every thing may be 
transacted with good order and decency ; and, also, 



6o 



that they may open and shut, with the keys of the 
Kingdom of Heaven committed to them, according 
to the charge given them by God. 

From these things may be learned, what a glori- 
ous work the Ministerial Office is ; since so great 
things are effected by it ; yea, how T highly neces- 
sary it is for man's salvation : which is also the 
reason why the Lord will have such an Office always 
to remain. For Christ said when He sent forth His 
Apostles to officiate in this holy function, " Lo, I 
am with you alway, even unto the end of the 
world ;" where we see His pleasure is, that this 
Holy Office, (for the persons to whom he here speak- 
eth could not live to the end of the world), should 
always be maintained on earth. And, therefore, St. 
Paul exhorted Timothy, " to commit that which he 
had heard of him to faithful men, who should be 
able to teach others"; as he also, having ordained 
Titus, minister, further commanded him to " ordain 
elders in every city/' (Tit. i : 5). 

Forasmuch therefore as we, for the maintaining 
of this office in the Church of God, are now to or- 
dain a new Minister of the Word, and have suffi- 
ciently spoken of the Office of such persons; there- 
fore you, N., shall answer to the following questions, 
to the end that it may appear to all here present, 
that you are inclined to accept of this Office as 
above described. 

First. I ask thee, dost thou feel in thy heart that 
thou art lawfully called of God's Church, and, 
therefore, of God Himself, to this Holy Ministry ? 

Secondly. Dost thou believe the books of the Old 



6i 



and New Testament to be the only Word of God, 
and the perfect doctrine unto salvation ; and dost 
thou reject all doctrines repugnant thereto ? 

Thirdly. Dost thou promise faithfully to dis- 
charge thy office, according to the same doctrine as 
above described, and to adorn it with a godly life ; 
also, to submit thyself, in case thou shouldst be- 
come delinquent, either in life or doctrine, to eccle- 
siastical admonition, according to the public ordi- 
nance of the churches ? 

To which the Candidate shall give answer. 

Answer. Yes, truly, with all my heart. 

Then the Minister, who did demand those questions of him, and other Minis- 
ters who are present, shall lay their hands * on his head, and say : 

God, our Heavenly Father, who hath called thee 
to this Holy Ministry, enlighten thee with His Holy 
Spirit ; strengthen thee with His hand ; and so gov- 
ern thee in thy Ministry, that thou mayest decently 
and fruitfully walk therein, to the glory of His 
Name, and the propagation of the Kingdom of His 
Son Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Then the Minister shall, from the pulpit, exhort the ordained Minister, and the 
congregation, in the following manner : 

Take heed, therefore, beloved brother and fellow- 
servant in Christ, unto yourself and to all the flock, 
over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Over- 
seer, to feed the Church of God which He hath 
purchased with His own blood : love Christ, and 



* This ceremony shall not be used in ordaining those who have before been in 
the ministry. 



62 



feed His sheep, taking the oversight of them not by- 
constraint, but willingly ; not for filthy lucre, but 
of a ready mind ; neither as being lord over God's 
heritage, but as an example to the flock. Be an 
example of believers, in word, in conversation, in 
charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Give attend- 
ance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neg- 
lect not the gift that is in thee ; meditate upon 
these things ; give thyself wholly to them, that thy 
profiting may appear to all ; take heed to thy doc- 
trine, and continue steadfast therein. Bear pa- 
tiently all sufferings and oppressions, as a good sol- 
dier of Jesus Christ ; for in doing this thou shalt 
both save thyself and them that hear thee. And 
when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, thou shalt 
receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 

And you, likewise, beloved Christians, receive 
this your Minister in the Lord with all gladness, 
"arid hold such in reputation." Remember that 
. God Himself through him speaketh unto you and 
beseecheth you. Receive the word, which he, ac- 
cording to the Scripture, shall preach unto you, 
" not as the word of man, but, as it is in truth, the 
Word of God." Let the feet of those that preach 
the Gospel of Peace, and bring glad tidings of good 
things, be beautiful and pleasant unto you. Obey 
them that have the rule over you, and submit your- 
selves ; for they watch for your souls, as they that 
must give account, that they may do it with joy, 
and not with grief ; for that is unprofitable for 
you. If you do these things, it shall come to pass, 
that the peace of God shall enter into your houses, 



63 



and that you, who receive this* man in the name of 
a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward, and 
through his preaching, believing in Christ, you shall 
through Christ inherit life eternal. Since no man 
is of himself fit for any of these things, let us call 
upon God with thanksgiving: 

PRAYER. 

Merciful Father, we thank Thee that it pleaseth 
Thee, by the ministry of men, to gather a Church 
to Thyself unto life eternal, from among the lost 
children of men. We bless Thee for so graciously 
providing the Church in this place with a faithful 
Minister. We beseech Thee to qualify him daily 
more and more by Thy Holy Spirit, for the ministry 
to which Thou hast ordained and called him. En- 
lighten his understanding to comprehend Thy Holy 
Word, and give him utterance, that he may boldly 
open his mouth, to make known and dispense the 
mysteries of the Gospel. Endue him with wisdom 
and valor to rule aright the people over which he 
is set, and to preserve them in Christian peace; to 
the end that Thy Church, under his administration 
and by his good example, may increase in number 
and in virtue. Grant him courage%to bear the diffi- 
culties and troubles which he may meet with in his 
ministry; that being strengthened by the comlprt of 
Thy Spirit, he may remain steadfast to the end, and 
be received with all faithful servants into the joy of 
His Master. 

Give Thy grace also to this people and Church, 



6 4 



that they may becomingly deport themselves to- 
wards this their Minister ; that they may acknowl- 
edge him to be sent of Thee ; that they may receive 
his doctrine with all reverence and submit them- 
selves to his exhortations ; to the end that they may, 
by his word, believing in Christ, be made partakers 
of eternal life. Hear us, O Father, through Thy 
Beloved Son, who hath taught us to pray : 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed 
be Thy name : Thy kingdom come : Thy will 
be done on earth as it is in heaven : glve 
us this day our daily bread : and forgive us 
our debts, as w 7 e forgive our debtors : and 
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us 
from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever. amen. 



65 



ii. 

"When Ordained at the same time ; if Ordained separately, this Form shall bo 
used as occasion requires. 

Beloved Christians : you know that we have 
several times published unto you the names of our 
brethren here present, who are chosen to the office 
of Elders and Deacons in this Church, to the end 
that we might know whether any person had aught 
to allege, why they should not be ordained to their 
respective offices. And, whereas, no one hath ap- 
peared before us, who hath alleged any thing law- 
ful against them, we shall, therefore, at present, in 
the name of the Lord, proceed to their ordination. 

But first, you, who are to be ordained, and all 
those who are here present, shall attend to a short 
declaration [from the Word of God,] concerning [the in- 
stitution and] the office of Elders and Deacons. 

[Of the El- 
ders it is to be observed, that the word Elder or Eldest (which 
is taken out of the Old Testament, and signifieth a person who is 
placed in an honorable office of government over others) is ap- 
plied to two sorts of persons who administer in the Church of 
Jesus Christ : for the Apostle saith, " the Elders that rule well 
shall be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who 
labor in the Word and doctrine." Hence, it is evident that there 
were two sorts of Elders in the Apostolic Church, the former 
whereof did labor in the Word and doctrine, and the latter did not. 
The first were the Ministers of the Word and Pastors, who 
preached the Gospel and administered the Sacraments ; but the 
others, who did not labor in the Word, and still did serve in the 
Church, bore a particular office, namely, that they had the over- 



66 



sight of the Church, and ruled the same with the Ministers of the 
Word. For St. Paul (Rom. 12:8), having spoken of the ministry of 
the Word, and also of the office of distribution of deaconship 
speaketh afterwards particularly of this office, saying : " He that 
ruleth, let him do it with diligence likewise, in another place* 
he counts " governments " among the gifts and offices which 
God hath instituted in the Church (1 Cor. 12:28). Thus we 
see that these sorts of Ministers are added to the others who 
preach the Gospel, to aid and assist them, as in the Old Testa- 
ment the common Levites were to the priests in the service of the 
tabernacle, in those things which they could not perform alone ; 
notwithstanding, the offices always remained distinct one from 
the other. 

Moreover, it is proper that such men should be joined to the 
Ministers of the Word in the government of the Church, that 
thereby all tyranny and lording may be kept out of the Church of 
God which may sooner creep in, when the government is placed 
in the hands of one alone, or of a very few. And thus, the Min- 
isters of the Word, together with the Elders, form a body or as- 
sembly, being as a council of the Church, representing the whole 
. Church ; to which Christ alludes when He saith : " Tell the 
Church which can in no wise be understood of all and every 
member of the Church, in particular, but very properly of 
those who govern the Church out of which they are chosen. 

Therefore,] In the first place, the office of the 
Elders is, together with the Ministers of the Word, 
to take the oversight of the Church, which is com- 
mitted to them, and diligently to look, whether 
every one properly deports himself in his confes- 
sion and conversation ; to admonish those who 
behave themselves disorderly, and to prevent, as 
much as possible, the Sacraments from being pro- 
faned ; also to act, according to the Christian dis- 
cipline, against the impenitent, and to receive the 
penitent again into the bosom of the Church : as it 
doth appear, not only from the above-mentioned 



6; 



saying of Christ, but also from many other places 
of Holy Writ (as i Cor. 5, and 2 Cor. 2), that these 
things are not entrusted to only one or two persons, 
but to many who are ordained thereto. 

Secondly. Since the Apostle enjoineth, that all 
things shall be done decently and in order, amongst 
Christians, and that no other persons ought to 
serve in the Church of Christ but those who are 
lawfully called, according to the Christian ordi- 
nance ; therefore it is also the duty of the Elders to 
pay regard to it, and in all occurrences which re- 
late to the welfare and good order of the Church, 
to be assistant with their good counsel and advice 
to the Ministers of the Word ; yea, also, to serve all 
Christians with advice and consolation. 

Thirdly. It is also their duty particularly to 
have regard unto the doctrine and conversation of 
the Ministers of the Word, to the end that all 
things may be directed to the edification of the 
Church ; and that no strange doctrine be taught, 
according to that which we read (Acts 20), where 
the Apostle exhorteth to watch diligently against 
the wolves, which might come into the sheep-fold 
of Christ : for the performance of which the Elders 
are in duty bound diligently to search the Word of 
God: 

[and continually to be meditating on the mysteries of 

faith.] 

Concerning the Deacons : of the origin and 
institution of their office we may read, Acts 6, where 
we find that the Apostles themselves did in the be- 
ginning serve the poor, " At whose feet was brought 



68 



the price of the things that were sold : and distri- 
bution was made unto every man according as he 
had need. But afterwards, when a murmuring 
arose, because the widows of the Grecians were 
neglected in the daily ministration, " men were 
chosen, by the advice of the Apostles, who should 
make the service of the poor their peculiar business, 
to the end that the Apostles might continually give 
themselves to prayer, and to the Ministry of the 
Word. 

[And this has been continued from that time forward 
in the Church, as appears from Rom. 12:8, where the Apostle, 
speaking of this office, saith, " he that giveth, let him do it with 
simplicity." And (1 Cor. 12 : 28), speaking of" helps," he means 
those who are appointed in the Church to help and assist the 
poor and indigent in time of need] ; from which [passage] we 
may easily gather, what the Deacons office is ; 
namely : 

That they, in the first place, collect and preserve, 
with greatest fidelity and diligence, the alms and 
goods which are given to the poor ; yea, use their 
utmost endeavors, that many good means be pro- 
cured for the relief of the poor. 

The second part of their office consists in distribu- 
tion ; wherein are required not only discretion and 
prudence, to bestow the alms [only on the objects of 
charity,] but also cheerfulness and simplicity to as- 
sist the poor with compassion and hearty affection ; 
as the Apostle requires, (Rom 12, and 2 Cor. 9). For which 
end it is very beneficial, that they administer relief 
to the poor and indigent, not only with external 
gifts, but also with comfortable words from Scrip- 
ture*. 



6 9 



To the end, therefore, beloved brethren, N., N., 
that every one may hear that you are willing to 
take your respective offices upon you, ye shall an- 
swer the following questions : 

And, in the first place, I ask you, both Elders and 
Deacons, whether ye feel in your hearts, that ye 
are lawfully called of God's Church, and conse- 
quently of God Himself, to these your respective 
holy offices? 

Secondly. Do ye believe the books of the Old and 
New Testament to be the only Word of God, and 
the perfect doctrine of salvation ; and do ye reject 
all doctrines repugnant thereto ? 

Thirdly. Do ye promise, agreeably to said doc- 
trine, faithfully according to your ability, to dis- 
charge your respective offices, as they are here 
described : Ye Elders, in the government of the 
Church together with the Ministers of the Word : 
and ye Deacons, in the ministrations to the poor: 
Do ye also jointly promise to walk in all godliness, 
and to submit yourselves, in case ye should become 
remiss in your duty, to the admonitions of the 
Church ? 

Upon which they shall answer : 

Yes. 

Then the Minister shall say : 

The Almighty God and Father replenish you all 
with His grace, that ye may faithfully and fruitful- 
ly discharge your respective offices. Amen. 



70 



The Minister shall further exhort them, and the whole congregation, in tho 
following manner : 

Therefore, ye Elders, be diligent in the govern- 
ment of the Church, which is committed to you 
and the Ministers of the Word. Be ye also, as watch- 
men over the house and city of God, faithful to 
admonish and to caution every one against his 
ruin. Take heed that purity of doctrine and godli- 
ness of life be maintained in the Church of God. 
And, ye Deacons, be diligent in collecting the alms, 
prudent and cheerful in the distribution of the 
same : assist the oppressed, provide for the true 
widows and orphans, show' liberality unto all men, 
but especially to the household of faith. Be ye 
all with one accord faithful in your offices, and hold 
the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience, being 
good examples unto all the people. In so doing 
you will purchase to yourselves a good degree, and 
great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus ; 
and hereafter enter into the joy of your Lord. 

On the other hand, beloved Christians, receive 
these men as the servants of God. Count the El- 
ders that rule well, worthy of double honor, give 
yourselves willingly to their inspection and govern- 
ment. Provide the Deacons with good means to 
assist the indigent. Be charitable, [ye rich] ; give 
liberally, and contribute willingly. 

[And, ye poor, be 

poor in spirit, and deport yourself respectfully towards your bene- 
factors, be thankful to them, and avoid murmuring- ; follow Christ, 
for the food of vour souls, but not for bread. Let him that stole 
[or hath been burthensome to his neighbor] steal no more ; but 



rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is 
good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." 

Each of you, doing these things in your respective 
callings, shall receive of the Lord, the reward of 
righteousness. But since we are unable of our- 
selves, let us call upon the name of the Lord, say- 
ing: 

PRAYER. 

O Lord God and Heavenly Father, we thank 
Thee that it hath pleased Thee, for the better edifi- 
cation of Thy Church, to ordain in it besides the 
Ministers of the Word, rulers and assistants, by 
whom Thy Church may be preserved in peace and 
prosperity, and the indigent assisted ; and that Thou 
hast at present granted us in this place men who 
are of good testimony, and we hope endowed with 
Thy Spirit. We beseech Thee, replenish them 
more and more with such gifts as may be necessary 
for them in their ministrations ; with the gifts of 
wisdom, courage, discretion, and benevolence ; to 
the end that every one, may, in his respective office, 
acquit himself as is becoming ; the Elders, in taking 
diligent heed unto the doctrine and conversation, 
in keeping out the wolves from the sheepfold of 
Thy beloved Son, and in admonishing and reprov- 
ing disorderly persons : in like manner the Deacons, 
in carefully receiving, and liberally and prudently 
distributing the alms [to the poor,] and in comforting 
[them] with Thy Holy Word. Give grace both to 
the Elders and Deacons, that they may persevere 
in their faithful labor, and never become weary by 



72 



reason of any trouble, pain or persecution of the 
world. Grant, also, especially Thy divine grace to 
this people, over whom they are placed, that they 
may willingly submit themselves to the good ex- 
hortations of the Elders, counting them worthy of 
honor for their works' sake ; give also unto the rich 
liberal hearts towards the poor, and to the poor, 
grateful hearts towards those who help and serve 
them ; .to the end that every one acquitting himself 
of his duty, Thy Holy Name may thereby be mag- 
nified, and the kingdom of Thy Son Jesus Christ, 
enlarged, in whose Name we conclude our prayers : 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed 
be Thy name : Thy kingdom come : Thy will 
be done on earth as it is in heaven: glve 
us this day our daily bread : and forgive 
us our debts, as we forgive our debtors : 
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever. amen. 



VIII. 

Ut tit %mUiM\m #i & pttifetor. 

— — +++ — _ 

The sermon and usual prayers being ended, the Minister presiding shall say : 

Beloved brethren : it is known unto you that at 
three separate times, has been published to you the 
name of our brother, here present, to learn whether 
any person had aught to allege concerning his doc- 
trine or life, why he might not be installed Min- 
ister of this church : And whereas no lawful objec- 
tion has been presented, we shall, therefore, in the 
Name of the Lord, proceed to his installation. 

For His own glory in the salvation of men, it 
hath pleased our Lord Jesus Christ to institute va- 
rious offices in His Church. Accordingly, it is de- 
clared in Holy Scripture, that our ascended Lord 
hath given " some, apostles, and some, prophets, and 
some, evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers, 
for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the 
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ/ ' 
Of these, in the present condition of the Church, 
the pastoral office is the first both in dignity and 

4 (73> 



74 



responsibility. It is instituted by our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

It belongs to the Office of a Minister of Christ to 
present the worship of the people to God ; to read 
the Holy Scriptures in the public service; to feed 
the flock committed to his charge with the pure 
Gospel of Christ ; to administer the Holy Sacra- 
ments agreeably to the institution of Christ ; to 
maintain Christian discipline ; to comfort them that 
are afflicted in mind, body, or estate ; to reclaim 
the erring, having compassion on the ignorant, and 
on them that are out of the w 7 ay ; to teach, direct, 
counsel as a father, the children ; and thus, in all vi- 
gilant and faithful service to make full proof of his 
ministry. 

In the discharge of these holy functions, he is 
entitled to the respect, gratitude, love, and obedi- 
ence of the people of his charge. It is incumbent 
on them by the will and command of Him that sent 
him, to receive him as the ambassador of Christ. 
By a suitable maintenance to enable him to provide 
things honest in the sight of all men ; to keep him 
free of distracting care ; to guard jealously his re- 
putation ; to wait on his ministry with reverence 
and affection ; to help him by generous sympathy, 
and faithful fellow-working and earnest prayer; to 
submit to his guidance ; to further his work, and to 
be followers of him as he is of Christ ; as the holy 
Apostle enjoins : 

" Obey them that have the rule over you, and 
submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls as 
they that must give account, that they may do it 



75 



with joy and not with grief ;" and again, " We be- 
seech you to know them which labor among you, 
and are over you in the Lord, and to esteem them 
very highly in love for their work's sake." 

To the end, then, beloved Brother and fellow-Min- 
ister of Christ, that it may appear that thou art 
willing to take the oversight of this flock of God, 
to which He has called thee in His holy providence, 
we demand of thee, in the presence of God and 
these witnesses : 

1. Dost thou believe the books of the Old and 
New Testament to be the only Word of God and 
the perfect doctrine unto salvation, and dost thou 
reject all doctrines repugnant thereto? 

2. Dost thou promise faithfully to discharge thine 
office according to the same doctrine, and to adorn 
it with a godly life ; also to submit thyself, in case 
thou shouldst become delinquent either in life or 
doctrine, to ecclesiastical admonition, according to 
the public ordinance of the churches ? 

3. Wilt thou with the help of God, fulfil all 
the duty of a faithful Minister of Christ to this 
Church, preaching the Word of God in sincerity, 
administering the Holy Sacraments in purity ; main- 
taining proper discipline in the house of God ; and 
using thy whole endeavor to promote the denomi- 
national work and welfare of the Reformed Church 
in America? 

To which the Minister Elect shall give answer : 

Yes, truly, with all my heart. 



7 6 



Then the Minister presiding shall say : 

God, our Heavenly Father, who hath called thee 
to the Holy Ministry, and to take the oversight of 
this Church, enlighten thee with His Holy Spirit ; 
strengthen thee with His hand ; and so govern thee 
in thy Ministry, that thou mayest decently and fruit- 
fully walk therein, to the glory of His Name, and 
to the advancement of the Kingdom of His Son 
Jesus Christ. Amen. 

The Church having "been requested to arise, the Minister Presiding shall say : 

Inasmuch, Beloved Brethren and Members of this 
Church, as this most solemn procedure of investing 
our brother with the charge and oversight of you, 
involves, as well, obligations and duties on your part 
toward him : I ask of you before God and our Lord 
Jesus Christ : 

1. Do you hereby receive, in the Name of the 
Lord, His servant, our brother, to be your Min- 
ister ? 

2. Do you promise to receive the word of truth 
from his lips with meekness and love ; and to sub- 
mit to him in the due discharge of his Holy Office ? 

3. Do you promise to give him all proper love 
and obedience in the Lord ; to encourage and help 
him in his holy work ; and to labor with him in 
faith and prayer, for the honor of Christ and the 
welfare of men ? 

4. Do you engage to continue to him, while he 
remains your Minister, competent worldly main- 
tenance, as you have promised, and whatever else 



77 



the honor of religion and his comfort among you 
may require ? 

To which they shall give answer audibly : 

Yes! 

Then the Minister Presiding shall exhort the installed Minister and Congrega- 
tion in the following manner : 

Take heed, therefore, beloved brother, and fel- 
low-servant in Christ, unto yourself and to all the 
flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you 
Overseer, to feed the Church of God which He hath 
purchased with His own blood : love Christ, and 
feed His sheep, taking the oversight of them not by 
constraint, but willingly : not for filthy lucre, but 
of a ready mind ; neither as being lord over God's 
heritage, but as an example to the flock. Be an 
example of believers, in word, in conversation, in 
charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Give attend- 
ance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neg- 
lect not the gift that is in thee ; meditate upon 
these things, give, thyself wholly to them, that thy 
profiting may appear to all : take heed to thy doc- 
trine, and continue steadfast therein. Bear patient- 
ly all hardship, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, 
for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and 
them that hear thee. And when the Chief Shep- 
herd shall appear, thou shalt receive a crown of 
glory that fadeth not away. 

And you likewise, beloved Christians, receive 
this your Minister in the Lord, with all gladness, 
"and hold such in reputation. " Remember that 
God Himself, through him, speaketh unto you and 



78 



beseecheth you. Receive the Word, which he, ac- 
cording to the Scripture, shall preach unto you, 
" not as the word of man, but (as it is in truth) the 
Word of God." Let the feet of those that preach 
the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good 
things, be beautiful and pleasant unto you. Obey 
them that have the rule over you, and submit your- 
selves ; for they watch for your souls, as they that 
must give account, that they may do it with joy 
and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. 
If you do these things, it shall come to pass, that 
the peace of God shall enter into your houses, and 
that you who receive this man in the name of a 
prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward, and 
through his preaching, believing in Christ, you shall 
through Christ inherit life eternal. 

Since no man is of himself fit for any of these 
things, let us call upon God with thanksgiving : 

PRAYER. 

Merciful Father, we thank Thee that it pleaseth 
Thee, by the ministry of men, to gather a Church 
to Thyself unto life eternal, from amongst the lost 
children of men. We bless Thee for so graciously 
providing the Church in this place with a faithful 
Minister. We beseech Thee to qualify him daily 
more and more by the Holy Spirit, for the ministry 
to which Thou hast ordained and called him. En- 
lighten his understanding to comprehend Thy Holy 
Word, and give him utterance, that he may boldly 
open his mouth, to make known and dispense the 



79 



mysteries of the gospel. Endue him with wisdom 
and valor, to rule the people aright over whom he 
is set, and to preserve them in Christian peace ; to 
the end that Thy Church, under his administration 
and by his good example, may increase in number 
and in virtue. Grant him courage to bear the diffi- 
culties and troubles which he may meet with in his 
ministry, that being strengthened by the comfort 
of Thy Spirit, he may remain steadfast to the end, 
and be received with all faithful servants into the 
joy of his Master. 

Give Thy grace also to this people and Church, 
that they may becomingly deport themselves to- 
wards this their Minister ; that they may acknow- 
ledge him to be sent of Thee ; that they may re- 
ceive his doctrine with all reverence, and submit 
themselves to his exhortations : to the end that they 
may by his word, believing in Christ, be made par- 
takers of eternal life. Hear us, O Father, through 
Thy Beloved Son, who hath thus taught us to pray ; 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed 
be Thy name : Thy kingdom come : Thy will 
be done on earth as it is in heayen : glve 
us this day our daily bread : and forgive us 
our debts, as we forgive our debtors : and 
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us 
from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever. amen. 



IX. 




»> - • » *4 

The Minister officiating will begin the service with the Salutation : 

Grace be unto you and peace from God our 
Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

After which he will say : 

Dearly Beloved : We are here assembled in the 
name of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost, to lay the corner-stone of a house to be 
erected to His honor and service, and praise. With- 
in its walls His Holy Name is to be worshipped, His 
Holy Gospel is to be preached, and His Holy Sac- 
raments administered. Knowing that our help is 
the name of the Lord Who made heaven and earth, 
let us lift up our hearts unto Him in humble sup- 
plication for His blessing. 

PRAYER. 

O Almighty God, Who hast built Thy Church 
upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, 

so 



8i 



Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner- 
stone ; direct us in this our undertaking with Thy 
most gracious favor, and further us with Thy con- 
tinual help, that % all our work being begun, con- 
tinued, and ended in Thee, we may glorify Thy 
Holy Name ; and finally, by Thy mercy, obtain 
everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

Then shall he chanted or read responsively from the Scriptures of the Old Tes- 
tament : 

PSALM 87. 

1. His foundation ts in the holy mountains. 

2. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more 
than all the dwellings of jacob. 

3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of 
God. 

4. i will make mention of rahab and 
Babylon to them that know me : behold 
Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia : this man 
was born there. 

5. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that 
man was born in her : and the Highest Himself shall 
establish her. 

6. The Lord shall count, when He writeth 
up the people that this man was born there. 

7. As well the singers as the players on instru- 
ments shall be there : all my springs are in Thee. 

And from the Scriptures of the New Testament, shall be read : 

1 Ep. of St. PETER 2 : 1-9. 
1. Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all 



82 



guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil- 
speakings, 

2. As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of 
the word, that ye may grow thereby : 

3. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gra- 
cious : 

4. To Whom coming, as ' unto a Living Stone, dis- 
allowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and pre- 
cious : 

5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual 
house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sac- 
rifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

6. Wherefore also, it is contained in the scripture : 
Behold, I lay in Sion a Chief Corner-stone, elect, 
precious : and he that believeth on Him shall not be 
confounded. 

7. Unto you therefore which believe, He is .pre- 
cious : but unto them which be disobedient, the 
stone which the builders disallowed, the same is 
made the Head of the corner, 

8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of 
offence, even to them which stumble at the word, 
being disobedient ; whereunto also they were ap- 
pointed. 

9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priest- 
hood, an holy nation, a peculiar people ; that ye 
should shew forth the praises of Him who hath call- 
ed you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 

Then, any such historical or descriptive document as may have been prepared 
to be deposited in the Corner-stone may be read, and the stone having been 
set in its place, the Minister, laying his hand upon it, or striking it thrice 
with a mallet, shall say : 



83 



1 lay the Corner-stone of a house to be erected, 
and devoted to the service of Almighty God ; in 
the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid 
which is Jesus Christ. 

Except the Lord build the house, they labor in 
vain that build it. 

Then shall be repeated, in unison, the Apostle's Creed. 

I believe in God. the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth ; 

and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord ; 
who was conceived by the holy ghost ; born 
of the Virgin Mary ; suffered under Pontius 
Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried; He 
descended into hell; the third day he rose 
again from the dead ; he ascended into heav- 
en ; and sitteth at the right hand of god 
the Father Almighty ; from thence He shall 
come to Judge the quick and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost ; the Holy 
Catholic Church, the communion of saints ; 
the forgiveness of sins ; the resurrection of 
the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. 

After which may be sung a hymn. Then may follow an 

ADDRESS. 

After which shall he offered the concluding prayer : 

Blessed be Thy Name, O Lord, that it hath 
pleased Thee to put it into the hearts of Thy ser- 



8 4 



vants to commence the erection of a house, in 
which -Thy Name is to be worshipped, the Glad 
Tidings of salvation proclaimed, and Thy Holy Sac- 
raments administered. Prosper them, O Lord, 
in this their undertaking. Keep and preserve by 
Thy providence unto the end, the work, which is 
now begun in Thy fear. Excite the skill and ani- 
mate the industry of the workmen. Shield them 
from accident and danger. And grant unto them, 
and unto all of us here present, the influences of 
Thy Divine Spirit, so that we may become in soul 
and body, living temples of the Holy Ghost, and 
be prepared for that eternal city which hath foun- 
dations, whose Builder and Maker is God. All 
which we ask through the abundant merits of our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who liveth and 
reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One 
God, world without end. 

Our Father who art in heaven, Hal- 
lowed be Thy name : Thy kingdom come : Thy 
will be done on earth as it is in heaven : glve 
us this day our daily bread: and forgive us 
our debts, as we forgive our debtors: and 
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us 
from evil : For Thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever. amen. 

BENEDICTION. ■ 



X. 




The usual Order of Service for the Lord's Day having been observed until 
after the reading of the Commandments, the following Lessons from Holy Scrip- 
ture shall then be read : 



i. — From the Psalter 

The Minister and People reading responsively. 

Psalm XXIV. 

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof ; the world, 
and they that dwell therein. 

For he hath founded it upon the seas, and estab- 
lished IT UPON THE FLOODS. 

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord ? or who shall 
stand in His holy place ? 

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart ; who 
hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn 
deceitfully. 

He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteous- 
ness from the God of his salvation. 
This is the generation of them that seek Him, that 

SEEK THY FACE, O JACOB, SELAH, 

Lift up your heads, O ye gates ; and be ye lifted up, ye ever- 
lasting doors ; and the King of glory shall come in. 

Who is this King of glory ? The Lord strong and 
mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 

Lift up your heads, O ye gates ; even lift them up, ye everlast- 
ing doors ; and the King of glory shall come in. 

Who is this King of Glory ? The Lord of hosts, He 
is the King of Glory. 

(85) 



86 



Psalm CXXXII. 

1. Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions : 

2. HOW HE SWARE UNTO THE LORD, AND VOWED UNTO 
THE MIGHTY GOD OF JACOB ; 

3. Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor 
go up into my bed ; 

4. I WILL NOT GIVE SLEEP TO MINE EYES, OR SLUMBER 
TO MINE EYELIDS, 

5. Until I find out a place for the Lord, a habitation for the 
mighty God of Jacob. 

6. LO, WE HEARD OF IT AT EPHRATAH \ WE FOUND IT IN 
THE FIELDS OF THE WOOD. 

7. We will go • into His tabernacles ; we will worship at His 
footstool. 

8. Arise, O Lord, into thy rest : thou, and the ark 
of Thy strength. 

9. Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness ; and let Thy 
saints shout for joy. 

10. For Thy servant David's sake turn not away 
The face of Thine Anointed. 

11. The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David ; He will not . 
turn from it ; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. 

12. IF THY CHILDREN WILL KEEP MY COVENANT AND MY 
TESTIMONY THAT I SHALL TEACH THEM, THEIR CHILDREN 
SHALL ALSO SIT UPON THY THRONE FOR EVERMORE. 

13. For the Lord hath chosen Zion ; He hath desired // for 
His habitation. 

14. This is my rest for ever : here will I dwell 

FOR I HAVE DESIRED IT. 

15. I will abundantly bless her provision ; I will satisfy her 
poor with bread. 

16. I WILL ALSO CLOTHE HER PRIESTS WITH SALVATION : 
AND HER SAINTS SHALL SHOUT ALOUD FOR JOY. 

17. There will I make the horn of David to bud : I have or- 
dained a lamp for Mine anointed. 

18. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but 
UPON HIMSELF shall his crown flourish. 



87 



II.— From the Old Testament: 
Exod. 40 : 17-38 ; or, i Kings, 9 : 1-9. 

III. — From the New Testament: 
Heb. 13 : 10-21 ; or, Rev. 21 : 10-27. 

Then the Minister shall say : 

Dearly Beloved in the Lord: God our 
Heavenly Father, having in His grace, which is in 
Jesus Christ our Lord, brought to its consumma- 
tion our work of preparing a house for His worship, 
and the honor of His Holy Name ; within whose 
walls His Holy Gospel is to be truly preached and 
His Holy Sacraments are to be faithfully adminis- 
tered ; we are now gathered in His Holy presence 
for the purpose of devoting it by a solemn act of 
worship to its proper and sacred use. I call upon 
you, therefore, to arise, and before the Lord, to unite 
in this act of dedication, confessing first, devoutly, 
our holy faith. 

The people uniting audibly with the Minister. 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth ; 

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our 
Lord ; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost ; 
born of the virgin mary ; suffered under 
Pontius Pilate ; was crucified, dead and 
buried ; he descended into hell ; the third 

DAY HE ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD; He AS- 



88 



cended into heaven, and sitteth at the right 
hand of God the Father Almighty: From 
thence he shall come to judge the quick 
and the dead. 

i believe in the holy ghost ; the holy 
Catholic Church, the communion of Saints ; 
the forgiveness of sins ; the resurrection of 
the body ; and the life everlasting. amen. 

Then the Minister shall offer the 

PRAYER OF DEDICATION. 

The People uniting audibly in the responses, which are printed in small capi- 
tals. 

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who 
art, and wast, and art to come, the whole earth is 
full of Thy .glory ! Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, 
and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and 
the majesty ; for all that is in the heaven and in the 
earth is Thine. Now, therefore, we thank Thee, O 
God, and praise Thy glorious Name. 

But who are we, that we should be able to offer 
so willingly after this sort? For all things come ot 
Thee, and of Thine own do we give Thee. O 
Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared 
to build Thee an house for Thine Holy Name, 
cometh of Thine hand and is all Thine own. 

Now behold, O Lord our God, and look irnto 
this place where we are gathered in Thy Name ; 
and have respect to the prayer of Thy servants and 
to their supplication, to hearken unto the cry and 



8 9 



the prayer that Thy servants pray before Thee this 
day, to take this house for Thine Own. 

Holy, Blessed, and Glorious Trinity, Three Per- 
sons in One God, 

To Thee we dedicate it. 
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Our Father 
Who art in Heaven, 

To Thee we dedicate it. 
Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father, 
Head of the Body, which is the Church ; Head 
over all things to the Church ; Prophet, Priest and 
King of Thy people, 

To Thee we dedicate it. 

God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father 
and the Son ; given to be our abiding Teacher, 
Sanctifier, and Comforter ; Lord and Giver of Life, 

To Thee we dedicate it. 

Arise, O Lord, into Thy rest, Thou and the ark 
of Thy strength. Let Thy priests be clothed with 
righteousness, and let Thy people shout for joy. 
Put Thy Name in this place. Sanctify it by Thy 
presence and Thy constant abiding. Give power 
and efficacy to Thy Gospel preached in it, and 
Thy Sacraments administered in it. Let Thine 
eyes be opened towards it; and hearken unto the 
supplications of Thy people when they pray in this 
place, and hear Thou in Heaven Thy dwelling- 
place, and when Thou hearest, forgive. And from 
this outer court of Thy Holy Sanctuary bring Thy 
people and their children into the true tabernacle 
which the Lord pitched, and not man ; the heaven- 
ly temple, of which the Lord God Almighty and the 
Lamb are the light. We ask and offer all in the 



9° 

Name of Thy Son our Saviour, Who hath taught 
us to pray : 

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed 
be Thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will 
be done on earth, As it is in heaven: Give 
us this day our daily bread : and forgive 
us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; 
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever. amen. 



Then shall follow the usual Order of Service, "beginning with the Hymn 
before the Sermon. 



X I. 



§Ukt Ut Hit fynilxmixtwn of Pwrtep 



Our help is in the Name of the Lord Who made 
heaven and earth. 

The Minister shall say to all present : 

Dearly Beloved, 

We are assembled, in the sight , of God, to join 
together this man and this woman in the bonds of 
Marriage : which is an honorable estate, instituted 
of God in the time of man's innocency, confirmed 
by the teaching of our Blessed Saviour, and com- 
pared by St. Paul to the mystical union which sub- 
sists between Christ and His Church. 

Into this holy estate these two persons are come 
to be joined. Therefore, if any man can show any 
just cause why they may not lawfully be joined 
together, let him now declare it, or else, hereafter, 
for ever hold his peace. 



I charge you, each and both, as ye shall answer to 
Him Who will judge both quick and dead, if either 

(90 



And to those who come to be married : 



9 2 



of you know any reason why ye may not lawfully 
be joined together in marriage, declare it now. For, 
be well assured that all those who are brought to- 
gether contrary to the Word of God are not joined 
together of God, neither is their marriage lawful. 

If no sufficient impediment be alleged, the Minister shall say : 

Hear now what Holy Scripture doth teach, as a 
touching the duty of husbands to their wives, and 
of wives to their husbands : 

Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also 
loved the Church, and gave Himself for it, that He 
might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of 
water by the Word. So ought men to love their 
wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife 
loveth himself. For this cause shall a man leave 
his father and mother and shall be joined unto his 
wife, and they two shall be one flesh. And, 

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own hus- 
bands as unto the Lord. For the husband is the 
head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the 
Church. And He is the Saviour of the body. And 
again He saith, Let the wife see that she reverence 
her husband. 

LET US PRAY. 

O Most Holy and Most Merciful Lord God ! we 
beseech Thee for these, Thy servant and handmaid^ 
that they may, with a reverent trust in Thee, enter 
into the Covenant of Marriage, as they now pro- 
pose, and truly keep all the vows which they are 
about to make, according to Thy Word. Grant 
this, O Father, with the forgiveness of our sins, 
through Christ Thy Son. Amen. 



93 



Then the Minister shall bid the man and the woman join their right hands ; 
which being done, he shall say to the man : 

Dost thou, -, take this woman, 

before God and these witnesses, to be thy wedded 
wife ? 

The man shall answer, I DO. 

Wilf thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep 
her in sickness and in health, and forsaking every 
other,cleave to her only, so long as ye both shall live ? 

The man shall answer, I WILL. 

To the woman : 

Dost thou, — , take this man, , be- 
fore God and these witnesses to be thy wedded 
husband ? 

The woman shall answer, I DO. 

Wilt thou love, honor, reverence, and keep him, 
in sickness and in health, and forsaking every other, 
cleave to him only, so long as ye both shall live ? 

The woman shall answer, I WILL. 

Then when a ring is used, the Minister shall guide the hand of the man to 
put the ring on the third finger of the woman's left hand, and holding it 
there, the man shall say, after the Minister : 

With this ring I thee- wed ; in the Name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
Amen. 

Then taking their clasped right hands in his hand, the Minister shall say : 

Forasmuch as you , and you 

have consented together, after God's Holy Ordi- 
nance of Marriage ; and have plighted your faith 
and truth to each other in the presence of God and 



94 



of these witnesses ; and have confirmed the same by 
giving and receiving a ring ; now, therefore, I pro- 
nounce you husband and wife. In the Name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost 
Amen. 

Whom, therefore God hath joined together, let 
not man put asunder. 

LET US PRAY. 

O Faithful God, who keepest covenant and truth 
with them that love Thee, hear Thou in heaven 
Thy dwelling-place, this marriage-vow which Thy 
servant and handmaid have vowed before Thee. 
And grant unto them the grace of Thy Good Spirit, 
that with all fidelity they may observe and keep it ; 
walking together in Thy faith and fear ; being led 
by the Angel of Thy presence, and strengthened by 
Thy hand, until they come to the inheritance of the 
saints in light : through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who 
has commanded us to pray, saying : 

Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed 
be Thy Name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will 
be done on earth, as it is in heaven : glve us 
this day our daily bread : and forgive us our 
debts, as we forgive our debtors : and lead 
us not into temptation, but deliver us from 
evil: for Thine is the kingdom, and the 
power, and the glory, for ever. amen. 

And the Minister shall pronounce over them this Benediction : 

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the 
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you, and remain 
with you always. Amen. 



XII. 




On entering the church, the Minister may use the following Sentences. 

Or, if all the services be performed at the house, he may begin with these Sen- 
tences. 

I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the 
Lord ; he that belie veth in Me, though he were 
dead, yet shall he live : and whosoever liveth and 
believeth in Me, shall never die. 

None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth 
to himself ; for whether we live, we live unto the 
Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord : 
whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord's. 
For to this end Christ both died and rose, and re- 
vived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and 
living. 

We brought nothing into this world, and it is 
certain we can carry nothing out. 

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; 
blessed be the Name of the Lord. 

Then may be read, or chanted. 

PSALM XC. 

i. Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in 
all generations. 

(95) 



9 6 



2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or 
ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, 
even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. 

3. Thou turnest man to destruction ; and sayest, 
Return, ye children of men. 

4. For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as 
yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the 
night. 

5. Thou earnest them away as with a flood ; they 
are as a sleep : in the morning they are like grass 
which groweth up. 

6. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up, 
in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. 

7. For we are consumed by Thine anger, and by 
Thy wrath are we troubled. 

8. Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our 
secret sins in the light of Thy countenance. 

9. For all our days are passed away in Thy wrath : 
we spend our years as a tale that is told. 

10. The days of our years are threescore years 
and ten ; and if by reason of strength they be four- 
score years, yet is their strength, labor and sorrow ; 
for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 

11. Who knoweth the power of Thine anger? 
even according to Thy fear, so is Thy wrath. 

12. So teach us to number our days, that we may 
apply our hearts unto wisdom. 

Then the Minister shall say : 

Hear the Word of God as it is written in the fifteenth chapter of St. Paul's first 
Epistle to the Corinthians, "beginning with the thirty-fifth verse : 

But some man will say, How are the dead raised 
up ? and with what body do they come ? Thou fool, 



97 



that which thou sowest is not quickened except it 
die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not 
that body that shall be, but bare grain ; it may 
chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God 
giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to 
every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same 
flesh ; but there is one kind of flesh of men, another 
flesh of beasts, another ol fishes, and another of birds. 
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial : 
but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of 
the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the 
sun, and another glory of the moon, and another 
glory of the stars ; for one star differeth from another 
star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the 
dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in in- 
corruption ; It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in 
glory-: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power: 
It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual 
body. There is a natural body, and there is a spirit- 
ual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam 
was made a living soul ; the last Adam was made a 
Quickening Spirit. Howbeit, that was not first 
which is spiritual, but that which is natural ; and 
afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is 
of the earth, earthy: the second Man is the Lord 
from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also 
that are earthy : and as is the Heavenly, such are 
they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne 
the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the im- 
age of the Heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, 
that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of 
God ; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 
S 



9 8 



Behold, I show you a mystery ; we shall not all 
sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in 
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump : for the 
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised 
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this 
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mor- 
tal must put on immortality. So when this corrup- 
tible shall have put on incorruption, and this mor- 
tal shall have put on immortality, then shall be 
brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is 
swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy 
sting ? O grave, where is thy victory ? The sting of 
death is sin ; and the strength of sin is the law. But 
thanks be to God, Which giveth us the victory, 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my be- 
loved brethren, be ye steadfast,_unmovable, always 
abounding in the work of the Lord ; forasmuch as 
ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 

[for a child.] 

Hear the Gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ, in reference to little children. 

And they brought young children to Him, that 
He should touch them ; and His disciples rebuked 
those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it 
He was much displeased, and said unto them, 
Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and for- 
bid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. 
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive 
the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not 
enter therein. And He took them up in His arms, 
put His hands upon them, and blessed them. 

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little 



99 



ones ; for I say unto you, that in heaven their 
angels do always behold the face of My Father 
which is in heaven. 

For the Son of Man is come to save that which 
was lost. How think ye ? If a man have a hundred 
sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not 
leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the moun- 
tains and seeketh that which is gone astray ? And 
if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he re- 
joiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and 
nine which went not astray. Even so, it is not the 
will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of 
these little ones should perish. 

Therefore are they before the throne of God, and 
serve Him day and night in His temple: and He 
that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any 
more ; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any 
heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the 
throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto 
living fountains of waters : and God shall wipe 
away all tears from their eyes. 

The Lord gave ; and the Lord hath taken away ; 
blessed be the Name of the Lord. 

After the reading of Holy Scripture the Minister shall say : 

Let us pray. 

Almighty and Most Merciful God, the conso- 
lation of the sorrowful, and the support of the weary, 
Who dost not willingly grieve or afflict the children 
of men ; look down in tender love and pity, we be- 
seech Thee, upon Thy servants, this bereaved 



100 



household, whose joy is turned into mourning; and 
according to the multitude of Thy mercies be 
pleased to uphold, strengthen, and comfort them, 
that they may not faint under Thy Fatherly chast- 
ening, but find in Thee their strength and refuge ; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
Our Father, etc. 

Then may follow an ADDRESS. 
After which the Minister shall say : Let US pray. 

Almighty God, with Whom do live the spirits of 
those who depart hence in the Lord, and with Whom 
the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered 
from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity ; 
we give Thee hearty thanks for the good examples 
of all those Thy servants, who, having finished their 
course in faith, do now rest from their labors. And 
we beseech Thee, that we, with all those who are 
departed in the true faith of Thy Holy Name, may 
have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in 
body and soul, in Thy eternal and everlasting 
glory ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

O thou Ever-Blessed Mediator, Who wast 
dead, but livest forever, of Whom the whole family 
in heaven and earth is named, and Who hast knit all 
Thy saints in one communion unto life eternal, in 
that mystical Body of which Thou art the glorious 
and ever-living Head ; grant us grace so to follow 
Thy blessed saints, who have gone before us, in the 
faith and fellowship of Thy Holy Church, that we 
may come to those unspeakable joys, which Thou 
hast prepared for all that love Thee, from the 
foundation of the world. Amen. 



IOI 



O God, Whose days are without end, and Whose 
mercies cannot be numbered ; make us, we beseech 
• Thee, deeply sensible of the shortness and uncer- 
tainty of human life ; and let Thy Holy Spirit lead 
us through this vale of misery, in holiness and right- 
eousness all the days of our lives: that when we 
shall have served Thee in our generation, we may 
be gathered unto our fathers, having the testimony 
of a good conscience; in the communion of the 
Christian Church ; in the confidence of a certain 
faith; in the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and 
holy hope ; in favor with Thee our God, and in 
perfect charity with the world : all which we ask 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Then standing near the coffin, or having reached the place of burial, the Min- 
ister will say : 

In the midst of life we are in death ! 
What helper shall we seek but Thee, O Lord, 
Who because of our sins art justly angry ! 
O Holy God, Holy and Strong, Holy and Com- 
passionate Saviour, 

Give us not over to bitter death ! 

Then, while the earth shall be cast npon the body by some standing by, the 
Minister will say : 

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God to 
take out of this world the soul of our departed 
brother, we therefore commit his body to the 
ground ; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to 
dust ; looking for the general Resurrection in the 
last day, and the Life of the world to come, through 



102 



our Lord Jesus Christ; at Whose second coming in 
glorious majesty to judge the world, the earth and 
the sea shall give up their dead ; and the corrupti- 
ble bodies of those who sleep in Him shall be 
changed, and made like unto His glorious body ; 
according to the working whereby He is able even 
to subdue all things unto Himself. 

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He 
shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And 
though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet 
in my flesh shall I see God ; Whom I shall see for 
myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. 

I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, 
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow 
not, even as others which have no hope. For if we 
believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so 
them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with 
Him. 

Let us pray. 

Almighty God, who by the death of Thy dear 
Son Jesus Christ hast destroyed death ; by His rest 
in the tomb hast sanctified the graves of the saints ; 
and by His glorious resurrection has brought life 
and immortality to light : receive, we beseech Thee 
our unfeigned thanks for that victory over death 
and the grave which He has obtained for us and 
for all who sleep in Him ; and keep us in everlast- 
ing fellowship with all that wait for Thee on earth, 
and with all that are around Thee in heaven ; in 



103 

union with Him who is the Resurrection and the 
Life ; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the 
Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. 
Amen. 

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who, in 
Thy perfect wisdom and mercy, hast ended for Thy 
servants departed the voyage of this troublous life ; 
Grant, we beseech Thee, that we who are still to 
continue our course amidst earthly dangers, temp- 
tations, and troubles, may evermore be protected 
by Thy mercy ; and finally come to the haven of 
eternal salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love 
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be 
with you all, evermore. Amen. 



XIII. 



A PRAYER BEFORE THE EXPLANATION OF THE 
CATECHISM. 

O Heavenly Father, Thy Word is perfect, con- 
verting the soul ; a sure testimony, making wise the 
simple, enlightening the eyes of the blind : and a 
powerful means unto salvation, for all those who 
believe. And whereas we are not only blind by 
nature, but even incapable of doing any good : and 
also since Thou wilt help none but those who are 
of a broken and contrite heart ; we beseech Thee 
to enlighten our understanding with Thy Holy 
Spirit, and give us a meek heart, free from all 
haughtiness and carnal knowledge, that we, hear- 
ing Thy Word, may rightly understand it, and re- 
gulate our life accordingly. Be graciously pleased 
to convert all those who still stray from Thy truth, 
that we may, together with them, unanimously 
serve Thee in true holiness and righteousness all 
the days of our life. 

We crave all these things for Christ's sake, who 
(104) 



io5 

hath thus taught us to pray in His Name, and pro- 
mised to hear us : 

Our Father Who art in heaven, Hallowed 
be Thy Name : Thy kingdom come : Thy will 
be done on earth as it is in heaven: glve 
us this day our daily bread: and forgive 
us our debts, as we forgive our debtors : 
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever. amen. 



A PRAYER AFTER THE EXPLANATION OF THE 
CATECHISM. 

O Gracious God and Merciful Father, we give 
Thee hearty thanks that it hath pleased Thee, not 
only to take us, but also our little children, into 
Thy covenant, which Thou hast not only sealed un- 
to them, by Holy Baptism, but also daily showest, 
when Thou perfectest Thy praise out of their 
mouths, thus to cause the wise of the world to 
blush. We beseech Thee, increase Thy grace in 
them, that they may always grow and increase in 
Christ Thy Son ; till they acquire their perfect 
manly age in all knowledge and righteousness. 
Give us grace that we may educate them, as Thou 
hast commanded us, in Thy knowledge and fear, so 
that by their godliness the kingdom of Satan may 
be destroyed, and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ 
strengthened in this and other congregations, to 
the glory of Thy Holy Nanj£, and to their eternal 
salvation, through Jesus Christ. Amen. 



io6 

A PRAYER AT THE OPENING OF THE CONSISTORY. 

Heavenly Father, Eternal and Merciful God, it 
hath pleased Thee of Thy infinite wisdom and good- 
ness to gather a Church to Thyself out of all na- 
tions upon the face of the earth, by the preaching 
of Thy Holy Gospel, and to govern the same by the 
service of men. Thou hast also graciously called 
us up to this office, and commanded us to take heed 
unto ourselves and unto the flock, which Christ 
hath bought with His precious blood. Since we are 
at this present assembled in Thy Holy Name, after 
the example of the Apostolic Churches, to consult, 
as our office requires, about those things which 
may come before us, for the welfare and edification 
of Thy Church, for which we acknowledge our- 
selves to be unfit and incapable, as we are by nature 
unable of ourselves to think any good, much less 
to put it in practice : therefore, we beseech Thee, O 
Faithful God and Father, that Thou wilt be pleased 
to be present with Thy Holy Spirit, according to 
Thy promise, in the midst of our present assembly, 
to guide us in all truth. Remove from us all misap- 
prehensions and unbecoming desires of the flesh, 
and grant that Thy Holy Word may be the only 
rule and guide of all pur consultations ; that they 
may tend to the glory of Thy Name, to the edifica- 
tion of Thy Church, and to the discharge of 
our own consciences, through Jesus Christ Thy Son, 
who with Thee and the Holy Ghost, the Only True 
God, is eternally to be praised and magnified. 
Amen. 



io7 



A PRAYER AT THE CLOSE OF THE CONSISTORY. 

O Lord God and Heavenly Father, we heartily 
thank Thee, that Thou hast been pleased to gather 
a Church to Thyself in this part of the world, and 
to use our service therein, granting us the privi- 
lege that we may freely and without hindrance 
preach Thy Holy Gospel, and exercise all the 
duties of godliness: moreover, we thank Thee, that 
Thou now hast been present with Thy Holy Spirit 
in the midst of this our assembly, directing our de- 
terminations according to Thy will, uniting our 
hearts in mutual peace and concord — We beseech 
Thue, O Faithful God and Father, that Thou wilt 
graciously be pleased to bless our intended labor, 
and effectually to execute Thy begun work, always 
gathering unto Thyself a true Church, and preserv- 
ing the same in the pure doctrine, and in the right 
use. of Thy Holy Sacraments, and in a diligent ex- 
ercise of discipline. On the contrary, destroy all 
evil and crafty counsels, which are devised against 
Thy Word and Church. Strengthen also all the 
Ministers of Thy Church, that they may faithfully 
and steadfastly declare Thy Holy Word : and the 
Magistrates of Thy people, that they may bear the 
sword with righteousness and discretion. Particu- 
larly we pray for those whom Thou hast been pleased 
to put in authority over us, Grant that their 
whole government may be thus directed, that the 
King of all kings may rule over them and their fel- 
low-citizens ; and that the kingdom of the devil 
(which is a kingdom of scandal and reproach) 



io8 



may, daily more and more be destroyed and 
brought to naught by them as Thy servants, and 
that we may lead with them a quiet and peaceable 
life, in all godliness and honesty. Hear us, O 
God and Father, through Jesus Christ Thy Be- 
loved Son, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost 
the Only and True God, is eternally to be magnified 
and praised. Amen. . 

A PRAYER AT THE MEETING OF THE DEACONS. 

Merciful God and Father, Thou hast not 
only said unto us that we should always have the 
poor with us, but hast also commanded that they 
should be assisted ; and for that end hast ordained 
the service of Deacons in Thy Church, by whom 
they might be relieved. As we, who are called to 
the office of Deacons in this congregation, are here 
at present met in Thy Name, to consult together 
concerning our ministry ; therefore we humbly be- 
seech Thee, for the sake of Jesus Christ, that Thou 
wilt be pleased to endue us with the spirit of dis- 
cretion ; to the end that we may rightly discern who 
are really poor and who are not : and that we may, 
with all cheerfulness and fidelity, distribute the 
alms collected by us to every one according to his 
necessity ; not leaving the indigent members of Thy 
Beloved Son comfortless, neither giving to those 
who are not in want. Kindle within the hearts of 
men an ardent love towards the poor, that they 
ma)- liberall}* give of their temporal goods, of 
which Thou hast made them stewards : and that 
we, having the means in hand to assist the indigent, 



log 



may faithfully, without vexation, and with a free 
heart, perform our office. Grant us the talents, to 
comfort the miserable, not only with the external 
gift, but also with the Holy Word. And since man 
doth not live by bread alone, but by every word 
that proceedeth out of Thy mouth, be pleased 
therefore to extend Thy blessing over our distribu- 
tions, and increase the bread of the poor, that both 
we and they may have reason to praise and thank 
Thee : expecting the blessed coming of Thy Be- 
loved Son Jesus Christ, Who became poor for our 
sakes, to make us rich in eternity. Amen. 

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER. 

The Constitution of the Church directs that in the administration of the Lord's 
Supper, " after the sermon and usual prayers are ended, the Form for the 
administration of the Lord's Supper shall he read, and a prayer suited to the 
occasion shall he offered, before the members participate of the ordinance." 

The following is submitted as a suitable prayer, which may be used in compli- 
ance with this direction. 

It is very meet and right, above all things, to 
give thanks unto Thee, O Eternal God : Who, by 
Thy word, didst create heaven and earth, and all 
things therein. For all Thy bounties known to us, 
for all unknown, we give Thee thanks ; but chief- 
ly, that when, through disobedience, we had fallen 
from Thee, Thou didst not suffer us to depart from 
Thee forever, but hast ransomed us from eternal 
death, and given us the joyful hope of everlasting 
life, through Jesus Christ Thy Son ; Who, being 
Very and Eternal God, became Man for us men, 
and for our salvation. 



no 



Not as we ought, but as we are able, we bless 
Thee for His holy incarnation ; for His life on 
earth ; for His precious sufferings and death upon 
the cross ; for His resurrection from the dead ; and 
for His glorious ascension to Thy right hand. 

We bless Thee for the giving of the Holy^Ghost ; 
for the sacraments and ordinances of the Church ; 
for the communion of Christ's Body and Blood ; 
for the great hope of everlasting life, and of an eter- 
nal weight of glory. 

Thee, Mighty God, Heavenly King, we magnify 
and praise. ■ With angels and archangels, and all 
the hosts of heaven, we worship and adore Thy 
glorious Name, joining in the song of Cherubim and 
Seraphim, and saying : — 

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth, 
heaven and earth are full of thy glory, 
hosanna in the highest. blessed is he that 
cometh in the name of the lord. hosanna in 
the highest. 

And we most humbly beseech Thee, O Merciful 
Father, to vouchsafe unto us Thy gracious pres- 
ence, as we commemorate in this Supper the most 
blessed sacrifice of Thy Son ; and to bless and 
sanctify with Thy Word and Spirit these Thine own 
gifts of bread and wine which we set before Thee ; 
that we, receiving them, according to our Saviour's 
institution, in thankful remembrance of His death 
and passion, may, through the power of the Holy 
Ghost, be very partakers of His body and blood, 
with all His benefits, to our salvation and the glory 
of Thy Most Holy Name. 



Ill 



And here we offer and present to Thee, O Lord, 
ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, 
holy, and living sacrifice unto Thee ; humbly 
beseeching Thee that all who are partakers of 
this Holy Communion, may be filled with Thy 
grace and heavenly benediction. And although 
we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer 
unto Thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech Thee to 
accept this our bounden duty and service ; not 
weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

And rejoicing in the communion of Thy saints, 
we bless Thy Holy Name for all Thy servants who 
have departed in the faith, and who, having accom- 
plished their warfare, are at rest with Thee ; 
beseeching Thee to enable us so to follow their 
faith and good example, that we with them may 
finally be partakers of Thy heavenly Kingdom — 
when, made like unto Christ, we shall behold Him 
with unveiled face, rejoicing in His glory, and by 
Him we, with all Thy Church, holy and unspotted, 
shall be presented with exceeding joy before the 
presence of Thy glory. Hear us, O Heavenly 
Father, for His sake : to Whom, with Thee and 
the Holy Ghost, be glory for ever and ever. 

Amen. 

a morning prayer. 

O Merciful Father, we thank Thee, that Thou 
hast in faithfulness watched over us the night past: 
and we beseech Thee to strengthen, and henceforth 
guide us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may spend 



112 



this, and all the days of our lives, in all righteous- 
ness and holiness ; and that whatsoever we under- 
take, we may always aim at the promoting of Thy 
glory, and expect all the success of our undertak- 
ings from Thy bountiful hand alone. And to the 
end that we may obtain this mercy of Thee, be 
pleased (according to Thy promise) to forgive all 
our sins, through the holy passion and blood-shed- 
ding of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; for we 
heartily repent of them. Enlighten also our hearts, 
that we, having cast off all works of darkness, ma}^ 
as children of light, walk in a new life in all godli- 
ness. Bless also the preaching of Thy Gospel. 
Destroy all the works of the devil. Strengthen all 
ministers of the Gospel and magistrates of thy peo- 
ple. Comfort all those who are persecuted and 
afflicted in mind ; through Jesus Christ Thy Beloved 
Son, Who hath promised us that Thou wilt certainly 
give us whatsoever we shall ask in His Name, and 
therefore hath commanded us to pray: Our 
Father, etc. 

AN EVENING PRAYER. 

O Merciful God, Eternal Light, shining in dark- 
ness, Thou who dispellest the night of sin, and all 
blindness of heart; since Thou hast appointed the 
night for rest and the day for labour, we beseech 
Thee, grant that our bodies may rest in peace and 
quietness, that afterwards they may be able to 
endure the labour they must bear. Temper our 
sleep, that it be not disorderly, that we may remain 
* spotless both in body and soul, nay, that our sleep 



H3 

itself may be to Thy glory. Enlighten the eyes of 
our understanding, that we may not sleep in death ; 
but always look for deliverance from this misery. 
Defend us against all assaults of the devil, and take 
us into Thy holy protection. And although we 
have not passed this day without having greatly 
sinned against Thee, we beseech Thee to hide our 
sins with Thy great mercy, as thou hidest all things 
on earth with the darkness of the night, that we 
therefore may not be cast out from Thy presence. 
Relieve and comfort all those who are afflicted or 
distressed in mind, body, or estate ; through Jesus 
Christ our Lord, Who hath taught us to pray ; 
Our Father, etc. 

A PRAYER FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED 
STATES AND ALL IN AUTHORITY. 

O Lord, our Heavenly Father, the High and 
Mighty Ruler of the Universe, who dost from Thy 
throne behold all the dwellers upon earth ; most 
heartily we beseech Thee, with Thy favor to behold 
and bless Thy servant, The President of the 
United States, and all others in authority ; and 
so replenish them with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, 
that they may always incline to Thy will, and walk 
in Thy way. Endue them plenteously with heav- 
enly gifts ; grant them in health and prosperity 
long to live ; and finally, after this life, to attain 
everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

A PRAYER for all conditions of men. 
O God, the Creator and Preserver of all man- 



ii4 



kind, we humbly beseech Thee for all sorts and 
conditions of men ; that Thou wouldest be pleased 
to make Thy ways known unto them, Thy saving 
health unto all nations. More especially we pray 
for Thy Holy Church Universal ; that it may be so 
guided and governed by Thy Good Spirit, that all 
who profess and call themselves Christians may be 
led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in 
unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in right- 
eousness of life. Finally, we commend to Thy fath- 
erly goodness all those who are any ways afflicted, 
or distressed, in mind, body, or estate ; that it may 
please Thee to comfort and relieve them, according 
to their several necessities; giving them patience 
under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all 
their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus 
Christ's sake. Amen. 

THANKSGIVING AFTER HARVEST. 

We yield Thee hearty thanks, most merciful 
Father, for all Thy goodness, and especially for this 
Thy bounty again bestowed upon us, who, through 
Thy providence and tender mercy towards us, have 
now reaped the fruits of the earth in due season, 
and gathered them into our garners. Continue, we 
beseech Thee, Thy loving-kindness towards us, that 
year by year our land may yield her increase, fill- 
ing our hearts with food and gladness, to the com- 
fort of Thy people and the glory of Thy Holy 
Name ; and so dispose us by Thy special grace 
preventing us, that we Thy servants may never sow 
only to the flesh, lest of the flesh we reap corrup- 



H5 

tion, but may sow spiritually to life everlasting, and 
reap the same in Thy heavenly kingdom ; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

A GENERAL THANKSGIVING. 

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we, Thine 
unworthy servants, do give Thee most humble and 
hearty thanks for all Thy goodness and loving-kind- 
ness to us, and to all men. We bless Thee for our 
creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this 
life ; but above all, for Thine inestimable love in the 
redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ ; 
for the means of grace and for the hope of glory. 
And, we beseech Thee, give us that due sense of all 
Thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly 
thankful, and that we may show forth Thy praise, 
not only with our lips, but in our lives ; by giv- 
ing up ourselves to Thy service, and by walking 
before Thee in holiness and righteousness all our 
days ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom, 
with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and 
glory, world without end. Amen. 

A PRAYER IN TIME OF DROUGHT. 

O God, our Creator, Preserver, and Bountiful 
Benefactor, Who givest seed-time and harvest, and 
sendest both the early and latter rain ; have pity, we 
beseech Thee, upon Thy famished people who cry 
unto Thee in their tribulation, and in Thy compas- 
sion return and visit us ; that the heavens may no 
longer be as brass above, and the earth as iron 
beneath, to shut out from us Thy mercy ; but that 



n6 

all the people may praise Thee, O God, Who art 
the Fountain of living waters and the Father of 
mercies, from Whom cometh down every good 
and perfect gift ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

a prayer in time of pestilence. 

Holy Lord God Almighty, Who of old didst stay 
the Angel of Pestilence at the cry of Thy repenting 
children, and bring back health to a dying people ; 
hear us, Thy suppliants, returning to Thee, as in 
sackcloth, dust and ashes, and mercifully lift from 
us the heavy hand of Thy righteous visitation ; 
that the people may live before Thee, and not die 
in their sins, and that the land may no longer 
mourn by reason of Thy judgments, O Lord, Who 
for our iniquities art justly displeased. We ask it 
humbly in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
Amen. 

for fair weather. 
O God of love and compassion, Who of old didst 
set Thy bow in the cloud for a token of a covenant 
between Thee and the earth, we humble ourselves 
before thee on account of our sins, and acknowledge 
Thy chastisement to be just. Yet spare us, O Lord. 
Stay the excess of rain, and cause Th)^ sun to shine, 
that, the hope of harvest being fulfilled, our barns 
may be stored with Thy bounty, and our souls 
rejoice in Thee. Above all, O Lord, grant that the 
Sun of Righteousness may arise upon us with heal- 
ing in his wings, and Thy people, walking all the 
day in the light of Thy countenance, in thy right 



ii7 



eousness may be exalted. Do this, O Father of 
Mercies, for the sake of Thy Son Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

for peace. 

O God of Peace, Who didst send unto us mes- 
sages of peace by thy Son, the Prince of Peace, and 
commandest us to be at peace with all men, we 
entreat Thee to save us from quarrel, bloodshed, 
and war. Still the tumult of the people as Thou 
dost the raging of the sea.* Disappoint the devices 
of the wicked, and bring their machinations to 
naught. Fill our hearts and the hearts of all men 
with Thy love, so that we may dwell in safety under 
the wings of Thy Holy Spirit, and have peace with 
God through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

FOR THE ABSENT FROM HOME. 

O God, Who art everywhere present, ruling the 
sea and the land, we entreat Thee for Thy servant 
now absent from us. Rescue him from peril, from 
sickness, from sin, and from death. Cover him as 
with a shield, and sanctify his experience of Thy 
mercy to his eternal profit and joy. In due time 
restore him to his home, and keep him and us 
through the journey of this life, that we may all 
reach our Father's house in peace, through His 
grace Who hath opened the kingdom of Heaven to 
all who believe in His Holy Name. Amen. 



* In time of war may be here inserted : 

Give us not over into the hands of our enemies, but defend us 
and grant us the victory, which is in Thine hand. 



n8 



ON COMMENCING A JOURNEY. 

O Most Glorious Lord God, Who of old didst lead 
Thine armies as with a pillar of cloud by day and of 
fire by night, be our Leader and Guardian, we be- 
seech Thee, in all our journeyings ; our support in 
setting out ; our solace on the way ; our shadow in 
the heat ; our covert in the rain and cold ; the help of 
our weariness ; the fortress of our adversity ; and 
our staff in the way of danger ; that under Thy 
guidance we may safely come to our journey's end, 
and at length to the end of this our earthly warfare 
and pilgrimage ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

for a person going to sea. 

O Eternal Lord God, Who alone spreadest out 
the heavens, and rulest the raging of the sea : We 
commend to Thine Almighty protection Thy ser- 
vant, for whose preservation on the great deep our 
prayers are desired. Guard him, we beseech Thee, 
from the dangers of the sea, from sickness, from the 
violence of enemies, from every evil; and conduct 
him in safety to the haven where he would be, 
with a grateful sense of Thy mercies : through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. Amen. 

FOR THE SICK. 

O Lord God, in Whose hand our breath is ; 
regard with tender compassion Thy servant, 
whom it hath pleased Thee to visit with sickness. 
Be graciously near to him in the hour of his need. 
Grant unto 'him true repentance for all his sins, a 



ii9 



firm and steady trust in the merits of Thy Son, 
Jesus Christ, and grace to be in perfect charity 
with all men. Enable him to cast all his cares on 
Thee, and to yield himself with childlike submis- 
sion to Thy righteous will. 

God of all power and grace, bless, we entreat 
Thee, the means used for his recovery, rebuke the 
violence of disease, and raise hijn up from his bed 
of pain, that, being delivered by Thy compassion, 
he may walk before Thee in newness of life. But 
if, O Most Wise and Merciful Father, this sickness 
should be unto death, grant him, we humbly 
implore Thee, a comfortable release from all his 
sufferings. Let the arms of Thine everlasting love 
be around him, and, when flesh and heart shall fail, 
be Thou the strength of his heart and his portion 
for evermore : through the mediation and merits of 
Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

FOR A SICK CHILD. 

O Almighty God and Merciful Father, to Whom 
alone belong the issues of life and death ; look down 
from Heaven, we humbly beseech Thee, upon this 
child, now lying upon the bed of sickness. Visit 
him, O Lord, with Thy salvation, deliver him in 
Thy good time from his bodily pain, and save his 
soul for Thy mercies' sake ; that if it shall be Thy 
pleasure to prolong his days here on earth, he may 
live to Thee, and be an instrument of Thy glory, by 
serving Thee faithfully, and doing good in his gen- 
eration ; or else receive him into those heavenly 
habitations, where the souls of those who sleep in 



120 



the Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual rest and felicity. 
Grant this, O Lord, for Thy mercies' sake, in the 
Name of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who liv- 
eth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, 
ever one God, world without end. Amen. 

FOR GRACE TO USE ARIGHT THE WORD. 

Blessed Lord, Who hast caused all Holy Scrip- 
tures to be written for our learning ; grant that we 
may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and 
inwardly digest them, that by patience and com- 
fort of Thy Holy Word we may embrace and ever 
hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which 
Thou hast given us in our Savour Jesus Christ. 
Amen. 

for forgiveness. 

Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest noth- 
ing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins 
of all those who are penitent ; Create and make in 
us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lament- 
ing our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, 
may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect 
remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

FOR PROTECTION. 

Almighty God, Who seest that we have no 
power of ourselves to help ourselves : Keep us 
both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our 
souls ; that we may be defended from all adversi- 
ties which may happen to the body, and from all 



121 



evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; 
and as we have received how we ought to walk 
and please Thee, so may we abound more and 
more; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Amen. 

at the christmas season. 

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast 
away the works of darkness, and put upon us the 
armor of light, now in the time of this mortal 
life, in which Thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit 
us with great humility : that in the last day, when 
He shall come again in His glorious Majesty to 
judge both the quick and dead, we may rise to 
the life immortal: through Him who liveth and 
reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, now and 
ever. Amen. 

O Lord, Who hast given us cause of perpetual 
joy by the coming of Thy Son our Saviour among 
us: Raise up Thy power, we pray Thee, and pos- 
sess us with a mighty sense of Thy wonderful love ; 
that whereas through the cares of this life we are 
sorely let and hindered in running the race that is 
set before us, we may be careful for nothing, but 
thankfully commending ourselves in everything to 
Thy bountiful grace and mercy, the peace of Thee, 
our God, which passeth all understanding, may 
keep Qur hearts and minds, through the satisfaction 
of Thy Son our Lord ; to Whom, with Thee and the 
Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without 
end. Amen. 

6 



122 



AT THE EASTER SEASON. 

Almighty God, Who hast given Thine Only 
Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also 
an example of godly life : Give us grace that we 
may always most thankfully receive that His most 
inestimable benefit ; and also daily endeavor to fol- 
low the blessed steps of His most holy life ; that 
dying unto sin, and living unto righteousness, we 
may at last obtain eternal life : Through the same 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Blessed Lord, Whose Only Son our Saviour 
Jesus Christ, hath once suffered for our sins, the 
just for the unjust, that He might bring us. to Thee 
our God : We beseech Thee, that as we are baptiz- 
ed into His death, so by continually mortifying our 
corrupt affections we may be buried with Him; 
and at last through the grave, and gate of death, 
pass to our joyful resurrection : For Hrs merits, 
Who died, and was buried, and rose again, Thy Son 
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Almighty and Everlasting God, Who of Thy 
tender love towards mankind has sent Thy Son, 
our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon Him our 
flesh, and that in the form of a servant, and to suf- 
fer death, even the death of the Cross, for our re- 
demption, and that we should follow the example 
of His great humility, patience, and obedience : 
Mercifully grant that this mind may be in us which 
was also in Christ Jesus, that we may both follow 
the example of His humble obedience and patient 



123 



suffering, and also be made partakers of His glori- 
ous resurrection, to live with Thee for ever. Grant 
this for the sake of Thy Son our Saviour Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

AT THE SEASON OF PENTECOST. 

O God the King of Glory, Who hast exalted 
Thine Only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph 
unto Thy Kingdom in heaven ; We beseech Thee, 
leave us not comfortless ; but send to us Thy Holy 
Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same 
place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before ; 
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy 
Ghost, One God, world without end. Amen. 

God of all peace and consolation, Who didst glo- 
riously fulfil the great promise of the Gospel, by 
sending down Thy Holy Ghost on the day of Pen- 
tecost, to establish the Church as the home of His 
continual presence and power among men ; merci- 
fully grant unto us, we beseech Thee, this same gift 
of the Spirit, to renew, illuminate, refresh, and 
sanctify our dying souls, to be over us and around 
us like the light and dew of heaven, and to be in us 
evermore as a well of water springing up into ever- 
lasting life ; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to 
Whom, with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, ever One 
God, be honor and glory, world without end. 
Amen. 



XIV. 



She §m&$. 



THE APOSTLES' CREED. 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker 
of heaven and earth ; 

And in Jesus Christ, His Only Son our Lord ; 
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born ot 
the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, 
was crucified, dead, and buried ; He descended in- 
to hell ; the third day He rose again from the 
dead ; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the 
right hand of God the Father Almighty ; from 
thence he shall come to judge the quick and the 
dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the Holy Catholic 
Church, the communion of saints ; the forgiveness 
of sins ; the resurrection of the bod} r ; and the life 
everlasting. Amen. 



THE COXFESSIOX OF FAITH, 

COMPOSED IN" THE COUNCIL OF XICE, A. D., 325. 

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things 
visible and invisible ; 

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten 

Son of God, begotten of his Father, before all 
(124) 



125 

worlds ; God, of God, Light, of Light, very God, of 
very God ; begotten, not made, being of one sub- 
stance with the Father, by Whom all things were 
made : Who, for us men and for our salvation, came 
down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy 
Ghost of the Virgin Mary ; and was made Man ; and 
was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He 
suffered and was buried ; and the third day He 
arose again according to the Scriptures ; and as- 
cended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand 
of the Father. And He shall come again, with 
glory, to judge both the quick and the dead ; Whose 
kingdom shall have no end. 

And in the Holy Ghost, Who spake by the pro- 
phets. And one holy Catholic and Apostolic 
Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the re- 
mission of sins ; and we look for the resurrection 
of the dead, and the life of the world to come. 
Amen. 



THE CREED OF ATHANASIUS, A. D. 333. 

1. Whosoever will be saved, before all things it 
is necessary that he hold the Catholic faith. 

2. Which faith, except one do keep whole and 
undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlast- 
ingly. 

3. The Catholic faith is this, that we worship one 
God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity ; 

4. Neither confounding the Persons nor dividing 
the substance. 

5. For there is one person of the Father, another 
of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. 



126 



6. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, 
and of the Holy Ghost is all one ; the Glory equal, 
and the Majesty coeternal. 

7. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and 
such is the Holy Ghost. 

8. The Father, uncreated, the Son uncreated, and 
the Holy Ghost uncreated. 

9 The Father incomprehensible, and the Son in- 
comprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incompre- 
hensible. 

10. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the 
Holy Ghost eternal : 

11. And yet they are not three Eternals; but one 
Eternal. 

12. As also there are not three Incomprehensi- 
sbles, nor three Uncreated ; but one Uncreated, and 
one Incomprehensible. 

13. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son 
Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty. 

14. And yet they are not three Almighties, but 
one Almighty. 

15. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and 
the Holy Ghost is God. 

16. And yet there are not three Gods, but one 
God. 

17. So likewise the Father is Lord, the son Lord, 
and the Holy Ghost Lord. 

18. And yet they are not three Lords, but one 
Lord. 

19. For, as we are compelled by the Christian 
truth to acknowledge each Person by Himself to 
be God and Lord. 



12/ 



20. So we are forbidden by the Catholic faith, to 
say, there be three Gods, or three Lords. 

21. The Father is made of none, neither created 
nor begotten. 

22. The Son is of the Father alone, not made, 
nor created, but begotten. 

23. The Holy Ghost is of the Father, and of the 
Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but 
proceeding. 

24. So there is one Father, not three Fathers ; 
one Son, not three Sons ; one Holy Ghost, not 
three Holy Ghosts : 

25. And in this Trinity, there is not first nor last. 

26. But the whole three Persons are coeternal to- 
gether, and coequal. 

27. So that in all things, as it is aforesaid, the 
Unity in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity is to be 
worshipped. 

28. He therefore that will be saved, must thus 
think of the Trinity. 

29. Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting 
salvation, that he also believe rightly the Incarna- 
tion of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

30. For the right faith is, that we believe and 
confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 
God, is God and Man : 

31. God of the substance of the Father, begot- 
ten before the world ; and Man of the Substance 
of his Mother, born in time : 

32. Perfect God and perfect Man. having a rea- 
sonable Soul and a human Body : 

33. Equal to the Father, according to his God- 



128 



head : and inferior to the Father as to his Man- 
hood : 

34. Who, although He be God and Man, yet He 
is not two but one Christ : 

35. One, not by conversion of the Godhead into 
flesh, but by taking of the Manhood into God. 

36. He is not one by mixture of Substance, but 
by unity of Person. 

37. For the reasonable soul and flesh is one Man ; 
so God and Man is one Christ : 

38. Who suffered for our salvation, descended 
into hell, rose again the third day from the dead ; 

39. He ascended into heaven, sits at the right 
hand of God, the Father Almighty : 

40. From whence He shall come to judge the 
quick and the dead. 

41. At Whose coming all men shall rise again ■ 
with their bodies ; 

42. And shall give account for their own works. 

43. And they that have done good shall go into 
life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into 
everlasting fire. 

44. This is the Catholic Faith, which except a 
man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS # 



0 028 310 286 5 



